Application of queuing theory in health care service: the case of paediatric outpatient department at Mnazi Mmoja Hospital Zanzibar.

This study on application of queuing theory at Paediatric Outpatient Department of Mnazi Mmoja hospital in Zanzibar has been conducted in order to find ways that could reduce the long waiting time of patients. The methods applied for data collection were direct observation and interview. Direct observation method was used to record arrival and service times of the patients at different stages of service. On the other hand interview was made to some of the parents who sent their children for treatment and staff. Data analysis was done by using Ms Excel and SPSS software. The results from the M(t)/G/1 model for three scenarios showed that the queue length reaches its peak of 12 patients at epoch 60 when one doctor used throughout. On average patients wait in queue for 21 minutes before seeing the doctor. It is suggested that the hospital management increase the number of doctors during peak period in order to reduce waiting times. Decision on the number of doctors to use can be assessed by using doctor-man-hours involved.