Development of a model for planning and controlling operation centres

In recent years, the environment of German hospitals has been characterized on the one hand by steadily increasing cost and competitive pressure and on the other hand by an increase in the supply and service density. The often tense financial situation forces German hospitals to implement cost-cutting measures and increase efficiency. A central lever in this context is the planning and control of the operations area (operating theatre area). On average, between 40 % and 46 % of the expenses for the treatment of an operative patient occur on the day of the operation. This impressively illustrates the importance of the operating theatre for the economic success of a hospital. According to a recent study conducted by over 91% of the hospitals surveyed, patient logistics is regarded as very important and thus a key function in this context. Particularly in the area of scheduling, action is seen as necessary in order to sustainably increase economic efficiency and generate competitive advantages. Furthermore, a high adherence to schedules with regard to planned surgery appointments improves the subjective well-being of the patient and thus the image of the hospital in the long term.

Surgery planning and control, however, is confronted with a large number of complex basic conditions, some of which differ significantly from those in industrial production. This is how e. g. 10 - 30 % of the patients go to hospital unplanned and must be treated immediately, i. e. within 8 or 24 hours. The type and severity of the clinical picture of incoming patients is also unknown.

The aim of the research project is to develop a generally valid model for more efficient planning and control of operation centres (OP centres) in hospitals. In order to achieve the goals of OR planning and control, models are developed that describe the interdependencies between control variables and control variables on the basis of Lödding's industrially proven model of production control. In addition, control methods are developed that are adapted to the very complex framework conditions of an OR center, such as the large number of unplanned patients and the complex relationships between all roles within the OR area. Due to a large number of procedures stored in the model, an individual configuration of the model is possible for a wide variety of conditions.