Medical facilities constantly face difficult staff scheduling problems. Every hospital and medical group will welcome a functional, computerized solution that actively optimizes scheduling. The DOCS algorithm - combining an accounting framework, constraints, and a Monte-Carlo stimulation - serves as a new methodology for optimal staff scheduling on a hospital-wide (enterprise) basis. Phase II will develop DOCS/Enterprise, a software application for solving large-scale staff scheduling problems in a hospital environment. DOCS/Enterprise will undergo Alpha testing at two medical institutions to verify the design and functionality and three additional institutions will participate in usability (Beta) testing. Phase I proved that the DOCS algorithm is well-suited for large size medical staff scheduling problems. Since no other commercial software products nor any published algorithms compare to the performance of DOCS, there is a significant commercial opportunity for the development of DOCS/Enterprise. Every hospital will benefit from this staff scheduling system. Savings are $200,000 per year for a typical hospital.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Center for Research Resources (NCRR)
Type
Small Business Innovation Research Grants (SBIR) - Phase II (R44)
Project #
3R44RR009852-03S1
Application #
6021430
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG7 (32))
Program Officer
Filart, Rosemarie
Project Start
1995-05-17
Project End
2000-02-29
Budget Start
1998-04-20
Budget End
2000-02-29
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
1999
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Acme Express, Inc.
Department
Type
DUNS #
803679364
City
Cleveland
State
OH
Country
United States
Zip Code
44115