Robust Manpower planning models for critically ill admitted patients during a pandemic

COVID-19 Research Area(s): Mathematical Modelling and Operations

Hospitals are already being flooded with COVID-19 patients, and the demand for care is set to increase. One limitation on patients receiving quick and effective care after admission to hospital is the number of, and types of, physicians available to treat them. In a pandemic setting where resources are stretched it is becoming increasingly necessary to rethink the way teams of physicians are comprised. Complex trade-offs will become necessary when putting together teams of physicians during these trying times, for example physicians whose expertise is not in critical care may be required to step in to ensure care is still available to patients. Additionally, the number of physicians required at any given time will be highly variable depending on forecasted infection rates and hospital admissions. Because of these necessary and dynamic changes to staffing needs, traditional staffing allocation systems and scheduling models will not work. This project aims to quickly develop and deliver a new staff scheduling model that can be used across hospitals both now, and in the future.