On line computer scheduling of anesthesiologists
A teleprocessed computer generated scheduling system is now in use in a large department of anesthesiology. Information typed into a cathode ray tube (CRT) terminal in the operating suite is processed and the activity schedule of all residents and attending anesthesiologists for the current day or any number of succeeding days is displayed and printed on command. Personal schedules of hourly assignments can be printed for any requested day. Feedback loops and manual override encourage man machine interaction. Weekend, holiday, and night call schedules are generated and vacation schedules controlled. Although there is no financial advantage over the previously used manual method, utility of the system and physician acceptance are excellent. Reproducible and reliable schedules are generated, relieving the department of dependence upon one or two knowledgeable scheduling officers. Since it immediately identifies all anesthesiologists available for clinical assignments any day or hour of the day, it is also a necessary initial operation in the eventual automatic production of the daily operating room surgical schedule by computer.