Abstract Summary
Traditionally, hospitals have been criticized for their monolithic structure, embodying a one-size-fits-all approach that may not align with the diverse and evolving healthcare needs of the population. This monolithic nature often results in centralized decision-making, rigid hierarchies, and a lack of adaptability to changing medical landscapes. Patients may find themselves navigating complex bureaucratic structures, and healthcare providers might face challenges in delivering personalized, patient-centric care. With this systematic healthcare issue in mind, the concept of hospitals as delegated modules is proposed. This refers to the idea of breaking down a hospital's functions and services into smaller, more specialized units or modules that can be easily assembled and reconfigured as needed. In this proposal, a hospital would consist of a network of smaller units, each focused on delivering a specific type of care or service, incorporated into the urban fabric. For example, there might be modules dedicated to emergency care, surgery, diagnostic imaging, rehabilitation, and mental health services. Each module would be designed to be flexible and adaptable, so that it could be easily reconfigured to meet changing patient needs. By breaking down a hospital into smaller modules, it becomes easier to manage patient flow and ensure that patients receive the right level of care at the right time. It allows for more efficient use of resources, as modules can be scaled up or down to match patient demand. In addition, this approach can improve patient outcomes, as each module can be staffed with specialized personnel who are trained to deliver the highest quality care for a particular condition or service. The effectiveness of this concept is proven through the efficiency of the delegation within the decentralized healthcare typology. This research shows that a decentralized healthcare system is effective. Network analysis is a valuable tool for designing and optimizing hospital delegated modules. In this context, network analysis refers to the use of algorithms to analyze the flow of patients, staff, and resources within a hospital system. Network analysis can be used to evaluate the performance of hospital delegated modules over time. By monitoring key performance indicators such as patient outcomes, resource utilization, and patient satisfaction, hospital administrators can identify areas where improvements can be made and make data-driven decisions to optimize the hospital system as a whole. The continuous results and trends from the network analysis of the hospital delegated modules informs the design optimization of the physical layout of the hospital, where the flexibility and adaptability of the modules is applied. Overall, the concept of hospitals as delegated modules facilitates a more agile and data-driven system, fostering collaboration, interoperability, and unified decision-making, ultimately enhancing the quality and efficiency of patient care.
