On the use of planning models in the operating theatre: Results of a survey in Flanders

Abstract

This paper presents an overview of the operating theatre planning and scheduling practice of hospitals in Flanders (Belgium). An electronic survey was sent to 95 hospitals in which surgeries are performed, which eventually resulted in a response set of 52 hospitals (55%). The questionnaire did not only focus on issues related to the elective (inpatient and outpatient) planning and scheduling process, but also questioned how hospitals currently deal with the occurrence of non-elective surgeries (urgencies and emergencies). We indicate what goals health managers try to achieve and how this planning is established. We furthermore pay attention to some possible disruptions to the schedule and the corresponding anticipatory methods. Despite the proliferation of computerized planning and scheduling procedures proposed by the scientific community, the implementation rate of satisfying technological planning or evaluation systems still seems to be low. In order to increase the operating theatre efficiency, a closer cooperation between the academic institutions and the practitioners should be encouraged.