INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING APPLICATIONS IN HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS:APPLICATION OF OPTIMIZATION MODELS

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APPLICATION OF OPTIMIZATION MODELS

The best-known application of optimization models has been in the context of nurse scheduling. Warner (1976) formulated the problem of determining the optimal nurse schedule as a two-phase multiple-choice programming problem and solved it using a modified version of Balintfy’s algorithm. In his formulation, the objective is the determination of the schedule that maximizes an expression representing the quality of the schedules, quantifying the degree to which the nurses like the schedules they would work. The solution is determined subject to the constraints that the minimum coverage requirement for each shift and for each skill level be met. The popular ANSOS nurse-scheduling software uses this model. Warner et al. (1990) discuss automated nurse scheduling software.

Trivedi (1976) studied the problem of the reallocation of nursing resources at the beginning of each shift. He developed a mathematical model that minimizes the total severity index for the hospital, which is a measure of the need for an additional staff member by skill level. The model was solved using a branch-and-bound algorithm to determine the optimal assignment of nurses by skill level to various inpatient units.

Fries and Marathe (1981) used mathematical models to determine the optimal variable-sized multiple-block appointment system. Calichman (1990) used a linear programming model to balance the bed demand among various surgical services.

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