Patent ID: 8725547

Claim:
A method for use with a processor, a database and an interface including a display screen, the database including resource schedule information associated with utilization of time for at least one medical resource, the method for aiding a scheduler responsible for scheduling the medical resource to optimally schedule new requests for the resource's time, the method comprising the steps of: running the processor to perform the steps of: retrieving a rule defining at least three optimization indicators each corresponding to a relative degree of optimization associated with scheduling the medical resource during a future sub-period during which the medical resource is available for scheduling, each of the optimization indicators corresponding at least in part to a utilization value of the medical resource calculated as a total sub-portion of the future time period during which the medical resource is currently scheduled; scheduling first and second appointments during first and second sub-portions of a first future sub-period during which the medical resource is available for scheduling on the resource schedule, respectively; scheduling first and second appointments during first and second sub-portions of a second future sub-period during which the medical resource is available for scheduling on the resource schedule, respectively; identifying a first utilization value for the first future sub-period wherein the first utilization value is indicative of a total sub-portion of the first future sub-period during which the medical resource is currently scheduled; identifying a second utilization value for the second future sub-period wherein the second utilization value is indicative of a total sub-portion of the second future sub-period during which the medical resource is currently scheduled; identifying the optimization indicator associated with scheduling the medical resource during at least a sub-portion of the first future sub-period; identifying the optimization indicator associated with scheduling the medical resource during at least a sub-portion of the second future sub-period; and simultaneously presenting the optimization indicators associated with scheduling the medical resource during at least a sub-portion of the first future sub-period and the optimization indicator associated with scheduling the medical resource during at least a sub-portion of the second future sub-period via the display, wherein the display enables the scheduler to directly compare the optimization indicators corresponding to the sub-portions of the first and second future sub-periods, respectively, to select a time for another appointment for the medical resource that enables optimization of use of the medical resource.