A multi-objective model to determine efficient resource levels in a medical assessment unit

J. P. Oddoye, M. A. Yaghoobi, M. Tamiz*, D. F. Jones, P. Schmidt

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This paper details models that determine the efficient allocation of resources on a medical assessment unit (MAU) of a general hospital belonging to the National Health Service (NHS) UK. The MAU was established to improve the quality of care given to acute medical patients on admission, and also provide the organizational means of rapid assessment and investigation in order to avoid unnecessary admissions. To analyse the performance of the MAU, doctors, nurses and beds are considered as the three main resources. Then a model is developed using the goal programming approach in multiobjective decision making and solved to deal with MAU performance. The developed model is solved under three different sets of patient admissions with the same resource levels using past data from the MAU. The results of the model are used to analyse the needed resource levels. Conclusions as to the appropriate staffing levels and functions of the MAU are drawn.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1563-1573
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of the Operational Research Society
Volume58
Issue number12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Dec 2007

Keywords

  • Goal programming
  • Health care
  • Multi-objective decision making

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