Using Data Analytics to Manage Bed Capacity at LCX Hospital

The operational management of allocating beds to patients is a challenging task, and an important component of a hospital’s processes. Given the lean bed capacity that LCX hospital had experienced in the past few months, John Teo, the director of the Bed Management Unit (BMU), and Doe Claris, the second in lead, were tasked to set up a workgroup with relevant stakeholders to examine the current policies and strategies of BMU, and seek out new and innovative solutions to improve the process of bed allocation to in-patients. Teo and Claris hope to improve the bed management system using the predictive capabilities of data analytics and mathematical modelling tools.

Through this case, students are expected to derive a suitable model to determine a bed allocation policy. The case reinforces the students’ skills in data processing, mathematical modelling, and numerical computation. Concepts and techniques covered include spreadsheet modelling, Linear Programming (LP), Optimisation, and Post-optimality analysis (such as shadow prices, sensitivity report and resolving model).

Inspection copies and teaching notes are available for university faculty. To receive an inspection copy and teaching note, please email cmpshop [at] smu.edu.sg with your registered faculty email ID and a link to your contact information on the faculty directory at your university as verification. An inspection copy and teaching note will then be sent to your faculty email account.

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SMU Faculty/Staff can download the case & teaching note on iNet with your SMU login ID & Password via the following links:

· The Case (SMU-17-0027)

· Teaching Note (SMU-17-0027TN)

For purchase of the case and supplementary materials via The Case Centre, please access the following links:

· The Case (SMU-17-0027)

· Teaching Note (SMU-17-0027TN)