A big problem in the OR is that not everyone is working for the same goal.  The major players are surgeons, anesthesiologists, and the hospital (nurses, orderlies, administrators, etc.), each wanting to maximize their income and minimize their work and time at work.   Unfortunately, this competition can lead to everyone losing.  Ideally, the system should be set up so that those who are in charge of running the schedule have incentives that also benefit the other two parties.  Furthermore, those incentives should be such that the system will naturally evolve to increase the benefits to everyone.  The attached file is an abbreviated version of a working paper that we’re submitting for publication to the finance community — it deals with, and attempts to solve this dilemma.

Mitigating agency problems in the OR suite – wp