Strategic and operational timetabling of lab technicians in the health field

This research proposes a binary linear program (BP) that optimally generates the timetables of lab technicians at strategic and operational levels under work constraints and a set of shifts. It tests BP on a use case of a central lab of a public hospital in Kuwait, with retrospective data from the years 2019 to 2022 and a workforce of 39 technicians. BP generates a minimal overtime/idle time feasible yearly timetable while accounting for all annual leave requests in short run times less than 16 min. In addition, the BP serves multiple purposes: it can generate tactical monthly plans, offline operational adjustments for the near term, or real-time updates to manage unexpected staffing changes. Because it ensures equity and avoids favoritism, this decision system promotes social peace in the work environment and establishes a friendlier atmosphere. At the same time, it generates resilient and flexible staff timetables. It’s clear structure make it suitable for applications to other hospitals.