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Overbooking Surgical Blocks

Author

Listed:
  • Christopher T. B. Strömblad

    (Center for Surgical Science, Zealand University Hospital, 4600 Køge, Denmark)

  • Upasana Raval

    (American Airlines, Fort Worth, Texas 76155)

  • Kristy Zhou

    (Department of Strategy & Innovation, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10065)

  • Shok-Jean Yee

    (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10065)

  • Thomas C. Barber

    (University of San Francisco Medical Center, San Francisco, California 94143)

  • Martin R. Weiser

    (Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10065)

Abstract

Operating rooms (ORs) are some of the most expensive and critical resources for hospitals, and therefore OR access and utilization are of high importance. We developed a unique method to overbook surgeon blocks: assigning more OR block time than we have OR capacity available, to improve OR access. The challenge lies in managing the process of overbooking and ensuring fairness so that no one surgeon is more affected by overbooking compared with others. Using mixed-integer quadratic programming, we enable block overbooking while applying a consistent definition of fairness. This effort was implemented into routine operations through our simplified process, and it was deployed as a web tool for the surgical staff to manage and communicate decisions. Overbooking blocks contributed an additional 2% and 3.5% to OR utilization at the two campuses where it was deployed. This work enables surgeons, scheduling managers, and surgical leadership to manage operating room use beyond physical capacity, reliably and optimally.

Suggested Citation

  • Christopher T. B. Strömblad & Upasana Raval & Kristy Zhou & Shok-Jean Yee & Thomas C. Barber & Martin R. Weiser, 2025. "Overbooking Surgical Blocks," Interfaces, INFORMS, vol. 55(4), pages 344-359, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:orinte:v:55:y:2025:i:4:p:344-359
    DOI: 10.1287/inte.2023.0063
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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