Overbooking Surgical Blocks Journal Article
| Authors: | StroĢmblad, C. T. B.; Raval, U.; Zhou, K.; Yee, S. J.; Barber, T. C.; Weiser, M. R. |
| Article Title: | Overbooking Surgical Blocks |
| Abstract: | Operating rooms (ORs) are some of the most expensive and critical resources for hospitals, and therefore OR access and utilization are of high importance. We developed a unique method to overbook surgeon blocks: assigning more OR block time than we have OR capacity available, to improve OR access. The challenge lies in managing the process of overbooking and ensuring fairness so that no one surgeon is more affected by overbooking compared with others. Using mixed-integer quadratic programming, we enable block overbooking while applying a consistent definition of fairness. This effort was implemented into routine operations through our simplified process, and it was deployed as a web tool for the surgical staff to manage and communicate decisions. Overbooking blocks contributed an additional 2% and 3.5% to OR utilization at the two campuses where it was deployed. This work enables surgeons, scheduling managers, and surgical leadership to manage operating room use beyond physical capacity, reliably and optimally. History: This paper was refereed. |
| Keywords: | surgery; system; service; overbooking; healthcare management; operating room efficiency; math programming |
| Journal Title: | Informs Journal on Applied Analytics |
| ISSN: | 2644-0865 |
| Publisher: | Informs |
| Publication status: | Online ahead of print |
| Date Published: | 2025-01-01 |
| Online Publication Date: | 2025-01-01 |
| Language: | English |
| ACCESSION: | WOS:001460956200001 |
| DOI: | 10.1287/inte.2023.0063 |
| PROVIDER: | wos |
| Notes: | Article; Early Access -- Source: Wos |
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