A unified model for scheduling elective admissions.

A model is presented that deals with two problems not previously solved: it handles the random arrival of requests for admission and permits continuous updating of scheduling decisions in a dynamic process, and it provides global long-term optimization of patient census rather than a series of suboptimal short-term solutions. The model can be used either for continuous dynamic scheduling or for periodic static scheduling. It is usable with many different system objectives and levels of computer resources, although an on-line computer is needed for its most effective use in the dynamic mode.