Optimizing Operations Scheduling in the Healthcare Sector: A Study on Hospitals and Nursing Homes in Silchar, Assam

This study provides a thorough evaluation of operational scheduling procedures in hospitals and nursing homes in Silchar, Assam, emphasizing efficiency, obstacles, and the prospects for digital change.Data was gathered from 99 stakeholders, comprising patients, healthcare professionals, and administrators, offering a comprehensive perspective on the existing system.Descriptive statistics and reliability analysis (Cronbach's Alpha = 0.812) were utilized to verify data integrity and consistency.The results indicate that a substantial percentage (50.5%) of healthcare institutions continue to utilize manual (paper-based) scheduling, whereas 11.1% depend on verbal communication-approaches susceptible to inaccuracies, delays, and inefficiencies.Merely 32.3% have embraced computerized scheduling tools, indicating a sluggish rate of modernization.Prolonged patient wait times are a significant issue, with 40.4% of respondents waiting 1-2 hours and 20.2% encountering delays exceeding two hours.Recurring scheduling delays impact around 60% of patients, indicating systemic deficiencies in staffing, communication, and resource distribution.Identified key difficulties encompass staff shortages (22.2%), unscheduled absences (20.2%), communication breakdowns (17.2%), and inequitable workload distribution (17.2%).Notwithstanding these hurdles, there exists substantial support (69.7%) among stakeholders for the use of automated scheduling systems, but significant opposition persists due to financial apprehensions and unfamiliarity with digital technologies.The study highlights the pressing necessity for healthcare institutions in Silchar to adopt automated scheduling to improve operational efficiency, patient satisfaction, and overall service quality.Effective change management methods, employee training, and stakeholder involvement are crucial for the effective adoption and longterm sustainability of digital scheduling systems in the healthcare sector.