Case Study on Streamlining Surgical Operations: A Mathematical Approach to Operating Room Scheduling and Surgeon Allocation

Operating rooms (ORs) represent one of the most critical and resource-intensive cost centers in any hospital. Their efficient management is paramount to both financial stability and patient care quality. Inefficient OR scheduling often leads to significant issues, including high operational costs, staff burnout due to overtime, and increased patient wait times. The main objective of this study is to develop and present a model aimed at increasing the strategic utilization of ORs, with the dual goals of minimizing associated operational costs and achieving significant cost savings. The research is grounded in a practical case study at the ABC Hospital. A primary contribution of this work is the meticulous collection and analysis of a comprehensive dataset from ABC Hospital, detailing the specific duration data for a wide variety of surgery types. This empirical data forms the foundation for our modeling approach. The approach itself centers on an optimization framework designed to address several key challenges simultaneously. The model is focused on minimizing the combined costs of regular OR opening hours and all associated overtime costs. Beyond cost, the study analyzes the complex task of sequencing surgeries within each OR to maximize throughput and efficiency. A crucial component of this analysis is the development of a robust system for assigning specific surgeries to the respective surgeons, aligning surgeon availability and specialization with the surgical schedule. By addressing the dual problems of cost minimization and procedural scheduling, this study provides a practical, data-driven framework. The anticipated outcomes include actionable recommendations for ABC Hospital that could lead to significant cost reductions, enhanced resource allocation, and a more predictable and efficient surgical environment for both patients and staff.