A heuristic-based computerized nurse scheduling system

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Abstract

This paper describes a microcomputer-based decision support system (DSS) for nurse scheduling in hospitals. The system includes algorithms and databases for developing weekly work and shift patterns and for combining these patterns into nurse schedules. The system also includes interface modules that allow users to interact with the system. The system uses heuristic modeling for pattern generation and pattern screening; output from the system are schedules that satisfy both the nurses' and the hospital's objectives.

Emphasis in the design of the DSS has been on computational efficiency and user acceptability. The system incorporates a wide range of hospital and nurse objectives and is flexible, allowing it to be implemented in different hospital environments.

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S. Randhawa is an Associate Professor of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering at Oregon State University. His background is in chemical engineering and industrial engineering. His research interests are in simulation modeling, information systems and production control.

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D. Sitompul is a faculty member of Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), Medan, Indonesia. He has an engineer (Ir) degree in mechanical engineering from USU, M. Eng. in industrial engineering from Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok, Thailand and a Ph.D. in industrial engineering from Oregon State University. His research interests are in the areas of computerized modeling, manpower scheduling and applied operations research. He is a member of Institute of Industrial Engineers, The Operations Research Society of America, The Institute of Management Science and the Association of Indonesian Engineering.

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