Scheduling Outpatient Services: A Linear Programming Approach
Abstract
The Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB-GYN) clinic at Reynolds Army Community Hospital, Fort Sill, Oklahoma, provides a wide range of specialty services for complicated obstetrical (OB) cases any many gynecological (GYN) cases to an estimated beneficiary population of more than 25,000 females. At present, the professional staff cannot handle the current demand for services. Because of this staffing constraint, many patients are referred to the Preferred Provider Network of OB-GYN physicians for necessary treatment under the Catchment Area Management Project (CAM). Under CAM, the hospital commander finances care provided both at Reynolds Army Community Hospital (RACH) and on CHAMPUS. The goal of the CAM demonstration project is to provide quality patient care at a demonstrated cost savings by managing treatment location. For treatment at RACH, the OB-GYN clinic Chief establishes a patient appointment schedule on the basis of experience with, and knowledge of, patient demographic data. This study outlines one method of determining which type of patient appointments should be seen at the OB-GYN clinic by using simultaneous mathematical models in the scheduling process. The objective is to provide the clinic Chief with a useful tool in templating a cost effective schedule.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 05, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA238077
Entities
People
- Darrell J. Hanf