A Novel Simulation-Based Two-Stage Optimization Approach for Nurse Planning

Abstract

Maintaining the dynamism of the work scheduling of the nurses without causing them to lose their work motivation provides the sustainability of the effectiveness of health services. Thus, there is a need to develop patient-centred operational research approach applied to health services against new Covid19 waves or new pandemics. In this context, the aim of this study is to develop a novel simulation-based two-stage optimization approach to determine the required number of nurses and schedule the shifts of the nurse working in the Covid19 inpatient service in a Turkish State Hospital. We develop our model in three stages: 1) A simulation model is developed to specify the weekly required number of nurses and run for the scenarios based on demand increases and patient activity, 2) The first mathematical model is used to determine the weekly number of shifts, and 3) The second mathematical model is applied to prepare a fair nurse shift schedule in the pandemic service. This paper suggests a crucial study that will provide managers of healthcare services to plan ahead for personnel needs problems that may take place in the next waves of the Covid19 pandemic in advance. [ FROM AUTHOR]