Fuzzy knapsack problem for operating room scheduling

Scheduling is a technique whose main aim is optimizing the usage of resources. It has a broad range of application. Weekly timetabling, production scheduling, and construction scheduling can be given as examples. This thesis is about fuzzy knapsack problem, and its application on operating room scheduling. This study consists of six parts. First part is introduction where general information about scheduling, knapsack problem, fuzzy logic, and its solution methods are given. Purpose of the thesis and its scope can also be found in introduction part. In second part detailed information about scheduling is presented. This part starts with definition of scheduling. Explanation of a basic complex scheduling problem called Resource-Constrained Project Scheduling Problem follows definiton. For better understanding an example is given. Possible objective functions and general methods for scheduling and sequencing is presented. Then more information about patient scheduling given. Third part is reserved for knapsack problem. It starts with definition. Then some algorithms to solve knapsack problem are presented. From the algorithms given dynamic programming is used to solve knapsack problem. For dynamic programming brief background information and detailed information about multistage problem solving is given in this part. Fuzzy logic plays an important role in this thesis, so in fourth part fuzzy logic is explained. Solution methods for fuzzy logic follow the explanation. In the thesis solution method used for fuzziness is possibility index. Therefore, it is explained in detail. Application is in fifth part. This study is conducted at a hospital; information about the hospital and its operating rooms is given. Then model of the problem and algorithm written with GAMS program is presented. Method used to determine fuzzy weights of surgery times and results of the application are given. Also in this part comparison of the study with other articles can be found. In sixth part, conclusion and recommendations are presented.