Data integration for space-aware Digital Twins of hospital operations

Healthcare facilities are complex systems where operational efficiency depends on space, processes, resources, and logistics. While many studies propose process-simulation-based improvements, few dynamically consider the built space’s effect on process efficiency. The critical challenge here is the effective integration of data from these disparate domains. This article addresses this challenge by proposing an open Building Information Modelling (BIM) to Discrete Event Simulation (DES) data integration framework towards the development of a space-aware process Digital Twin (DT), with the goal of determining and controlling the impact of spatial layout and built asset performance on core-process throughput. A case study of a multi-storey Histopathology laboratory demonstrates how the impact of changes in travel time between process stages, due to a faulty lift and functional re-configurations, on laboratory turnaround time can be managed integrating up-to-date building information in modelling core business processes. This is achieved through the space-aware process DT architecture. • A BIM-Discrete Event Simulation data integration for hospital operation is developed. • A space-aware process Digital Twin architecture is proposed for a histopathology lab. • Space configuration and faulty assets’ impact on lab TAT is determined and controlled. • Small changes to assets and space performance highly influence the lab TAT. • The decision-making capabilities of operations and facilities managers are enhanced.