The Optimal Allocation of Server Time Slots Over Different Classes of Patients

We present a model for assigning server time slots to diff erent classes of patients. The objective is to minimize the total expected weighted waiting time of a patient (where di fferent patient classes may be assigned diff erent weights). A bulk service queueing model is used to obtain the expected waiting time of a patient of a particular class, given a feasible allocation of service time slots. Using the output of the bulk service queueing models as the input of an optimization procedure, the optimal allocation scheme may be identi fied. For problems with a large number of patient classes and/or a large number of feasible allocation schemes, a step-wise heuristic is developed. A common example of such a system is the allocation of operating room time slots over different medical disciplines in a hospital