Endoscope Assignment and Cleaning Scheduling System
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Solution Overview
Problem
In medical facilities with numerous endoscopes, there is a challenge in efficiently scheduling endoscope usage and cleaning, leading to delays and inefficiencies, as well as the risk of using worn-out or inappropriate endoscopes, which can result in malfunctions and increased maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
An endoscopic examination work support system that includes an examination schedule management unit, an endoscope assignment unit, and a cleaning machine assignment unit to systematically assign endoscopes and cleaning machines based on scheduled examinations and cleaning times, ensuring appropriate equipment usage and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple endoscopes are possessed to handle numerous examinations, then examination capacity is improved, but it becomes difficult to determine which endoscope to use and preparation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically generates examination schedules and assigns endoscopes without requiring manual determination by staff. The scheduling unit autonomously matches examination orders with appropriate endoscopes based on stored information, eliminating the time-consuming manual selection process while maintaining high examination capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical process of staff selecting and preparing endoscopes is replaced by an automated information processing system. The scheduling unit uses computer-based algorithms to match examination requirements with available endoscopes, substituting human decision-making with automated information retrieval and assignment
2Ease of operation
If endoscope usage is determined on the spot, then flexibility is maintained, but work efficiency cannot be improved due to lack of systematic scheduling
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary scheduling of endoscopes to examinations before the actual examinations occur. By pre-assigning endoscopes based on examination orders and availability, the system prepares the workflow in advance, improving work efficiency while maintaining operational flexibility through automated adjustments
Solution Approach 2:
The scheduling unit continuously monitors endoscope usage status and examination schedules, using this feedback to optimize assignments. The system adjusts allocations based on real-time information about which endoscopes are available, which examinations are pending, and which staff members are preparing, thereby improving both efficiency and flexibility
3Device complexity
If endoscopes are used without systematic scheduling, then device complexity is reduced, but the risk of using worn-out endoscopes increases leading to malfunctions
Solution Approach 1:
The scheduling unit autonomously tracks endoscope usage history and identifies worn-out devices, automatically preventing their assignment to new examinations. This self-monitoring capability ensures reliability by systematically managing endoscope conditions without requiring complex manual tracking systems
Solution Approach 2:
Manual inspection and tracking of endoscope conditions is replaced by automated information processing. The scheduling unit uses computer-based records to monitor usage history and identify worn-out endoscopes, substituting human judgment with systematic data analysis to ensure reliable device selection
4Ease of operation
If cleaning machines are assigned without systematic scheduling, then ease of operation is maintained, but cleaning efficiency decreases and endoscope maintenance quality suffers
Solution Approach 1:
The scheduling unit automatically assigns cleaning machines to endoscopes based on usage patterns and cleaning requirements. This automated assignment eliminates the need for manual determination of which cleaning machine to use, maintaining operational simplicity while improving cleaning efficiency through systematic allocation
Solution Approach 2:
Manual selection of cleaning machines is replaced by automated scheduling based on endoscope usage history and cleaning machine availability. The system uses computer-based algorithms to match endoscopes requiring cleaning with appropriate cleaning machines, improving efficiency while keeping the process simple for users
Data Source
AI summary
An examination schedule management unit manages an examination schedule of a plurality of endoscopic examinations, including an examination room, information on scheduled examination start time, that on scheduled examination end time, and examination type information on examination contents. A cleaning schedule management unit manages a cleaning schedule of a plurality of endoscopes, including a cleaning machine, information on scheduled cleaning start time, and that on scheduled cleaning end time. An endoscope assignment unit assigns an endoscope to an endoscopic examination. A cleaning machine assignment unit assigns a cleaning machine for cleaning an endoscope assigned to the endoscopic examination.