This Problem Makes Me Sick

Teaser Description

System dynamics models help us model situations that would otherwise be very difficult to analyze and understand. System dynamics models are well suited to situations where the rate of change of factors are interrelated.
This problem challenges you to create a system dynamics model which could be used to inform some important decisions.

Description

Use a system dynamics modeling program such as Vensim or NetLogo to model spread of disease among staff and patients in hospital to help hospital administrators create guidelines for their staff.
Doctors, nurses and other hospital staff help save lives. Unfortunately, they are also vectors of disease sometime infecting their patients, and thus inadvertently causing harm.
Create a system dynamics model that takes into account the various groups of people that might be found in a hospital. Consider the various categories of patients, especially their susceptibility to disease. If they are an employee, take into account how replaceable they are, while they are infectious. Take into account the virulence, avoidability, detectability, likelihood and duration of categories of diseases. Analyzing whether an illness is imminent, as well as the likelihood of false positives and false negatives.
Note that the problem as described is fairly open-ended and could take years to complete
Note also that you have significantly less than years to complete it

Technology

Required tools
- Experience with system dynamic modeling tools such as Vensim or NetLogo
Suggested tools
- Knowledge of how to asses the details and depth of factors to consider versus acceptable levels of error, and in case of this competition, acceptable amounts of time developing the model.

Grading

What is to be turned-in under a directory named "ThisProblemMakesMeSick".
- A system dynamics model
- Using this model develop a procedure for each category of employee to minimize harm
- Justification of your recommendation, including your choice of model and model values.
What the graders will be looking for.
- Particular attention will be paid to both what you chose to include, and what you chose to omit in all parts of the model, and especially you reasons why
- The nature of this problem is that it must be simplified. How it is simplified is at the core