Problem
Supersonic Care is a clinic that provides initial medical treatment to patients in Chapel Hill. There are two types of patients: (1) 50% of incoming patients are "complex patients" who have complex healthcare needs. (2) 50% of incoming patients are "simple patients" who have simple healthcare needs. You are in a team of consultants that was hired to analyze the clinic capacity. The team has gathered the following information.
1) There are three types of resources: Receptionists, Nurses, and Doctors.
2) First, all incoming patients fill out a medical information form in the reception area. Patients often require assistance in filling out the paperwork. There are 2 receptionists in this area. A receptionist spends an average of 4 minutes in assisting a patient, regardless of the type of the patient.
3) After filling out the paperwork, all patients are seen by a nurse for an initial examination. The initial examination of a patient takes 27 minutes on average, regardless of the type of the patient. There are 3 nurses who perform the initial examination in parallel.
4) After seen by a nurse, all patients are seen by a doctor. On average, a doctor spends 20 minutes with a complex patient, and 10 minutes with a simple patient. There is one doctor in the clinic.
5) The clinic is open for 9 hours in a day.
How would you decide whether the clinic should put effort in advertising or not? Do you think the clinic should spend money in advertising? Explain your rationale.