Scheduling and capacity planning
Here is the data and the answers to those questions.
|
Month
|
Average # of Telemedicine callsreceived per day for each month the center was open in year 1
|
|
Jan
|
37
|
|
Feb
|
28
|
|
Mar
|
42
|
|
Apr
|
48
|
|
May
|
63
|
|
Jun
|
71
|
|
Jul
|
75
|
|
Aug
|
74
|
|
Sep
|
88
|
|
Oct
|
93
|
|
Nov
|
95
|
|
Dec
|
102
|
a. Using Excel, create a linear regression equation to model the number of calls per month.
y = 6.6853x + 24.545
b. At the current rate of growth, how many telemedicine calls does the regression equation predict for June of year 2?
At June of year 2, x = 18. Plugging this into linear regression equation we get:
# calls / day = 6.6853(18) + 24.545, which is 145 calls per day on average.
c. Given your prediction for June of year 2, how many telemedicine nurses do you forecast will be needed per 12 hour shift to handle the load?
At 145 calls per day, that is 12 calls on average per hour. Since a single nurse can handle 4 calls an hour, we need 3 nurses minimum manning the telemedicine center for the 12 hour shift.
You are to come up the minimum number of nurses required for the telemedicine unit. Here are your assumptions / constraints:
1. The Telemedicine Unit is open 7 days a week from 7am - 7pm. This is one 12-hour shift.
2. There will be 4 telemedicine nurses on a shift, and they work 4 days on and 3 off. Four nurses are required due to breaks and meals. This leaves 3 nurses to staff the telemedicine consoles at all times.
3. All nurses earn 4 weeks of vacation a year. A week is 7 days for planning purposes.
4. You can assume the nurses are unavailable 1 week of the year for professional development.
5. On average the nurses are only sick 3 days a year.