title: [Optimal sequence algorithm of divided period appointment consultation service sequence for re-visiting patients in the department of stomatology].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  An optimal sequence algorithm model of divided period appointment consultation service was built through optimal sequence algorithm.
  
  
  METHODS
  Re-visiting patients in the department of stomatology in a tertiary hospital were enrolled as the research objects in this study. Information about the diagnose term of common diseases, tooth positions treated, doctor's consultation hours were collected. After calculating the mean consultation hours of each disease based on the statistical analysis, the appointment consultation service sequence of re-visiting patients in the department of stomatology was optimized in accordance with the rule of "providing priority service to those requiring short consultation hours" by referencing to the theoretical model of parallel machine.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The total waiting hours of patients after optimizing the appointment consultation sequence was decreased by 35.1%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Optimal sequence algorithm can optimize divided period consultation sequence, effectively shorten waiting hours and improve patients' medical experience.
authors.affiliation: Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. Shanghai, 200011,China. E-mail:sanyuangh@163.com.
authors.forename: Yuan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. Shanghai, 200011,China.
authors.forename: Wen-zhong
authors.initials: WZ
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.affiliation: Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. Shanghai, 200011,China.
authors.forename: Yao
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.affiliation: School of Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Shanghai 200030,China.
authors.forename: Xiao-feng
authors.initials: XF
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. Shanghai, 200011,China.
authors.forename: Zheng-yi
authors.initials: ZY
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D006801:Humans; D019242:Oral Medicine; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013997:Time Factors