Epidemic Buffer Ward Nurse Scheduling and Bed Allocation Model

A multi-stage stochastic programming model integrates nurse scheduling and bed allocation for epidemic buffer wards in large hospitals. The data-driven framework uses a rolling horizon procedure to dynamically adjust resources under uncertain patient demand. The model coordinates four operational actions: reserved empty beds, bed retrofitting, elective patient admissions, and nurse scheduling by ward and shift.

Use Cases

• Optimize the planned number of reserved empty beds in each ward type to manage patient flow during outbreaks.
• Simulate bed retrofitting decisions as patient demand shifts between different ward types.
• Analyze daily admission decisions for elective patients under uncertain demand scenarios.
• Evaluate nurse scheduling by ward and shift to manage physiological workload across different ward types.

Strengths

• Model integrates four coordinated operational actions for hospital resource management.
• Framework employs a rolling-horizon process to update plans with new information.
• Published under a CC BY 4.0 license, permitting open use and adaptation.

Limitations

• Dataset size is 202.8 KB, indicating a limited scope focused on the model rather than large-scale operational data.
• No raw patient or nurse records are provided; the dataset contains the model and numerical experiments.
• Real-world validation of the model's effectiveness in reducing cross-infection is not included in the provided files.

Provenance

Source

Feifei Yang via figshare.

Collection Method

Developed for a study on a multi-stage stochastic programming model for hospital operations.

Freshness

Last updated March 2026.