An innovative algorithm for planning and scheduling healthcare units with the aim of reducing the length of stay for patients (Case study: Cardiac Surgery Ward of Razavi Hospital of Mashhad)

One of the key applications of operational research in health systems management is to improve the mechanism of resource allocation and program planning in order to increase the system efficiency. This study seeks to offer an innovative method for the planning and scheduling of health service units with the aim of reducing the patients Length of Stay (LOS) in the Cardiac Surgery Ward of Razavi Hospital of Mashhad. Also, to estimate the patients LOS, two methods have been applied: multiple linear regression models and Bayesian networks. The introduced method takes into account all treatment processes of patients in an integrated system and by eliminating any undue waiting time, the length of stay can be reduced to a significant extent. Also, the system efficiency is considerably improved by resolving the current conflicts in the workflow of on-call physicians and optimum allocation of resources, gaining satisfaction of health sector officials and patients.