Nirmani Sulakshana Amarasinghe (She/Her)

Current Research:

Real-Time Patient Flow Management in Hospital Emergency Departments

Managing patient flow efficiently is critical for smooth operations in hospital emergency departments (EDs). Delays in patient flow can increase waiting times and strain hospital resources. This project uses Discrete Event Simulation (DES) to model ED processes, such as triage, treatment, and waiting for a bed. DES helps represent the complexity and randomness of patient flow and allows testing the impact of changes, like ambulance diversions, on waiting times.

While DES is often used for long-term planning, this research focuses on using it for short-term, real-time decision-making. The goal is to develop methods to update DES models using live data, creating a tool to support immediate and effective responses to changing demands in EDs. This innovative approach aims to improve patient care and resource management by enabling faster and more informed decisions in emergency healthcare settings.

Biography:

I completed my Bachelors in Statistics and Operations Research at the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. I developed a strong passion for research during this time and graduated in 2022 with First Class and the University Award for Academic Excellence. After graduation, I worked as a Demonstrator and Temporary Lecturer in the Department of Mathematics at the same university.  I pursued an MSc in Operational Research at the University of Southampton in 23/24, where I was a recipient of the British Council Women in STEM Scholarship. My master’s dissertation focused on management of bed occupancy using simulation. I graduated with Merit and was awarded the Dean's List Award for Outstanding Achievement. In December 2024, I started my PhD at QUB.

Research Interests:

• Real time analytics

Pure Profile:

https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/nirmani-sulakshana-amarasinghe 

Supervisors:

Dr. Laura Boyle and Professor Adele Marshall