Simulation and optimization research of blood center inventory management under dynamic demand

A simulation model was set up correspondingly with the operational characteristics of blood center inventory system. Under an emergent blood-collecting event, the concept of “equivalent daily demand” within lead time was presented, and the solution of emergent reorder point was derived. By running the simulation model, recommendations were made for the inventory management of Jiangsu province blood center based on the historical data of 2005-2008. Fill rate was enhanced up to 99% after optimization. At the meanwhile, expired volume and times of emergencies were sharply cut down, which proves the validity and feasibility of our simulation model. It is also effective for the management of other inventory systems with deteriorating items.