A Mathematical Optimization Model for Operating Room Planning and Scheduling Problem with Variable Time-Slot Discretizations

Abstract

Operating Room (OR) planning and scheduling is a critical hospital management problem due to the high cost and limited availability of operating room resources. This study addresses the integrated planning and scheduling problem by proposing a Mixed Integer Programming model that assigns surgical cases to surgeons, homogeneous operating rooms and time slots. The model integrates essential resource-related constraints to ensure efficient resource utilization while maintaining service quality and patient safety. To analyze the impact of time discretization, a systematic comparison is conducted using the same model under two different time-slot configurations: 15-minute slots and 30-minute slots. Computational experiments are performed to evaluate scheduling efficiency and practical applicability under both scenarios. The results provide insights into the influence of slot length on operating room scheduling performance and support decision-makers in selecting an appropriate time discretization for operating room planning.