A comprehensive review on operating room scheduling and optimization

The growing number of publications on Operating Room Scheduling (ORS) in recent years reflects the rapid advancements in the field. This review aims to comprehensively analyze the historical developments and evolving trends in operating room scheduling by systematically examining the literature from 2000 to 2023. A multi-database search, including Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, ProQuest and IEEE Xplore was employed to ensure the inclusion of key studies. This paper presents a review of the factors, descriptive fields, and key issues in operating room scheduling. It also focuses on optimization techniques and solution approaches for both deterministic and uncertain conditions. Special attention is given to real-world constraints, such as resource limitations, staff availability and patient variability which significantly impact scheduling. The review identifies that ORS research covers a broad spectrum of problems and solutions, with no singular research trend dominating the field. This indicates that researchers are tackling diverse challenges across various contexts. The final section outlines the significant pitfalls and proposes future research directions, including the integration of emerging technologies and sustainability considerations. This review is a valuable resource for researchers, practitioners, and academicians in healthcare operations and hospital management, offering insights into current practices and future opportunities for innovation in ORS.