Operating Room Allocation by Time-Period Utilization Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hospitals face inefficiencies in operating room utilization, leading to longer patient wait times, surgeon overtime, and waste of resources due to varying utilization rates among operating rooms.
Innovation Solution
An operating room allocation apparatus and method that calculates utilization rates by time period, adjusting them to an appropriate range using average utilization rates, and allocates rooms to minimize deviations, optimizing resource use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If operating rooms are allocated without considering time-period utilization rates, then allocation is simple, but utilization rates vary greatly leading to surgeon overtime and resource waste
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the operating room utilization analysis by time periods (morning, afternoon, evening shifts) and calculates separate utilization rates for each period. This segmentation allows the system to identify peak and off-peak periods, enabling more precise allocation decisions that prevent surgeon overtime while optimizing resource use during low-demand periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic allocation system that adjusts operating room assignments based on real-time and historical utilization data. The system continuously monitors utilization rates across different time periods and dynamically reallocates rooms to balance workload, preventing both over-utilization (overtime) and under-utilization (resource waste).
2Loss of time
If operating rooms are allocated without time-period consideration, then allocation process is simple, but patient wait times increase due to non-operating time
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary analysis of historical utilization data to predict future demand patterns. By identifying which time periods are most likely to have high demand, the system proactively allocates operating rooms in advance, reducing patient wait times before surgeries are scheduled rather than reacting after assignments are made.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor actual utilization rates against target values. When deviations are detected, the system automatically adjusts future allocations to correct imbalances, ensuring that patient wait times are minimized while maintaining appropriate surgical schedules across all time periods.
Data Source
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AI summary
An operating room allocation apparatus may be provided. The apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include: an information obtaining unit configured to obtain information about patient's entry and exit times in each operating room; a first calculation unit configured to calculate a utilization rate of the operating room for each certain time period based on the patient's entry and exit times; and a second calculation unit configured to receive certain time information from a user and calculate an average utilization rate by time period in the received time information.