Simulation research on the clinical path of non-small cell lung cancer surgery based on time petri net

BACKGROUND: Clinical pathways are increasingly adopted to control costs and enhance quality management, becoming a standardized approach in treatment. This study aims to develop a hospital-specific clinical pathway for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) surgery based on national standards and actual treatment practices, and evaluate its service efficiency through simulation. METHODS: We analyzed 94 electronic medical records of NSCLC surgeries performed between May 2020 and November 2022, evaluating the need for localization by statistically examining treatment process delays. A Time Petri Net model was established for this pathway, with simulations conducted to measure post-implementation changes in hospital length of stay (LOS). RESULTS: The hospital's existing processes were generally consistent with national standards. Validation of the Time Petri Net model confirmed its effectiveness. Simulation results showed that the average LOS was reduced from a baseline of 8.20 days to 7.76 days, saving a total of ~ 10.28 h (individual diagnostic/treatment processes were shortened by 0.15-5.04 h). CONCLUSION: Implementing this tailored clinical pathway significantly improved service efficiency by aligning it with national guidelines, enabling better integration and optimization of medical resources while improving overall clinical pathway management quality.