Fig. 1
From: Obstetric operating room staffing and operating efficiency using queueing theory
Conceptual diagram of queueing theory nodes and characteristics. Patients arrive at rate = λ, then await service for time = w, over queue length = L. Server teams are specified in analysis, with service time (s) defined as time required for treatment provided at service rate per server team = µ. Service nodes are varied in analysis to identify system performance for wait times and utilization. After service, patients then depart the system. Six distinct parameters are shown: 1) the arrival process; 2) the service and departure process; 3) the number of servers available; 4) the queueing discipline (in obstetric operations, the discipline is priority queue); 5) the queue/system capacity; 6) and the size of the client population