A multiple objective model on nurse staffing and scheduling with maximum work stretch, discrete stochastic demand, and overlapping shifts

• Main Authors: Acedilla, Owen Kelly, Ampil, Marc-Geoffrey, Kho, Ann Rosalind
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 1999
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/11690
• Institution: De La Salle University

This thesis deals with the staffing and scheduling of nurses in a single unit for a certain schedule horizon. It considers multiple objectives that minimizes the cost of overstaffing, minimizes the number of nurses needed in a unit, and maximize the service level. Goal programming is used to model these system objectives. It enables the flexibility of specifying the target performance measures of service level and staffing penalties. These penalties are indicated as the cost or occurrence of understaffing, overstaffing, or both. The first function of the model determines the minimum number of nurses needed to staff the unit that satisfies the target performance measures. Next, the number of nurses to staff each period is obtained. Finally, individual work schedules are created for each nurse needed. The features of the model provide schedulers the option to arrive at the desired system. Nurse entry periods can be modified in intervals of 1, 2, 4, or 8 hours. Shifts may overlap when nurses enter in intervals less than 8 hours. Next, the schedule horizon is varied depending on the number of weeks that the schedule is applicable. Meanwhile, the maximum work stretch and the minimum rest hours could be altered to suit scheduling policies. Additionally, the minimum number of nurses in a time period could be specified. Lastly, a discrete stochastic workforce requirement per time period is also considered to develop a schedule. The mathematical model formulated in the study is validated under the form of Mixed Integer Linear Programming of the General Algebraic Modeling System (GAMS). Hypothetical data and information regarding the parameters were utilized for the validation of the model. Afterwards, sensitivity analysis was conducted by changing values of the goal service level, goal cost, number of nurses available and the maximum work stretch. The software called Nurse Staffing and Scheduling Program was made by the proponents to facilitate ease in using the model. It was constructed under the programming language, Turbo Pascal. This interfaces with GAMS for the solution process.