Abstract
A computerized scheduling program was developed to provide hospital anaesthetic coverage and yet still satisfy the complex workstyles of 30 anaesthetists. Hospital commitments required ten anaesthetists available each weekday and four each weekend day for afterhours coverage of the intensive care units and operating rooms. The workstyles included parttime arrangements, limited calls by some individuals, and calls restricted to certain anaesthetists with specific areas of expertise. Rules were defined to limit the proximity of late calls to avoid fatigue and computer software was developed. For each scheduling period, the program assists in making daily call assignments based on each anaesthetist’s availability and a priority ranking system. It is flexible enough to allow personal preferences. The number and distribution of all calls scheduled are counted. When the assignments are completed, differences are reconciled. For two years, this program has proved superior to previous manual systems for scheduling this group of anaesthetists with variable workstyles.
Résumé
Nous avons élaboré un logiciel informatique permettant d’élaborer une liste de garde tenant compte des divers intérêts de 30 anesthésistes. Pour couvrir les interventions qui se prolongent et les soins intensifs, il fallait assurer la disponibilité de dix anesthésistes après les heures régulières la semaine et de quatre la fin de semaine. Or, certains anesthésistes travaillent à temps partiel, d’autres font moins de gardes et certains secteurs demandent une expertise paniculiere. Pour éviter la fatigue, un système de priorité assure un espacement minimum entre les journées qui se prolongent et permet au logiciel de distribuer à l’avance les gardes de chaque jour selon les disponibilités et les préférences de chacun. A la fin d’une période, le logiciel peut compenser pour tout changement apporté à la liste initiale. En usage depuis deux ans, ce système informatisé s’est avéré supérieur aux anciens systèmes manuels et satisfait tout un groupe d’anesthésistes aux besoins variés.
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Rose, K., Cheong, C. & Andrien, K. Computerized schedules — one solution to variable workstyles. Can J Anaesth 36, 722–727 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03005430
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03005430