title: Operating room scheduling by computer.
abstract: The surgical operating room schedule has been produced automatically for more than 2 years in our large teaching hospital. In order to apply computer technology to the complex surgical scheduling problem a special programming approach was devised. We discuss this approach under the headings of Expand, Sort, Order and Assign. Consistent, reliable schedules, unaffected by weekends and holidays, are produced by a clerk trained to use a computer terminal. Our program is adapttable to other institutions once the scheduling parameters and operating priorities are delineated.
mesh_terms: D000776:Anesthesiology; D003201:Computers; D013502:General Surgery; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000600:supply & distribution; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000600:supply & distribution; D009873:Operating Rooms / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling