A simulation model for blood supply chain systems

Since supply chain operations of blood are a matter of life and death, they have become one of the most important phases of healthcare systems. Unfortunately, operations related to blood storage, distribution, transportation, and transfusion have not analyzed and explored enough due to their challenges, limitations, and regulations. However, shrinking donor pools and high blood transfusion costs require efficient supply-demand coordination and fastidiously planned network operations. In this paper, a simulation model of blood network operations is presented to determine inventory levels and distribution plan of specific region having a regionalized blood banking system (RBC). The main constituents of the regionalized blood banking system are blood centers, laboratories, distribution centers, and demand points where transfusion takes place. In the model, a network topology of all the centers is simulated, and interactions among the centers are observed. Shortage rates demand satisfaction rates, and average inventory levels are considered as system performance parameters, and the best inventory levels are determined for each blood type. Additionally, an alternative scenario, where the demand points collaborate with each other, is explored, and some suggestions are provided.