Hybrid modelling for planning a reliable hospital-wide cleaning workforce

Gartner, Daniel ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4361-8559 and Viana, Joe 2026. Hybrid modelling for planning a reliable hospital-wide cleaning workforce. Operations Research, Data Analytics and Logistics 47 , 200510. 10.1016/j.ordal.2026.200510

PDF - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (3MB)

Abstract

Every year, tens of thousands of patients die world-wide because of infections associated with the health system. One source of hospital-acquired infections which reportedly have reached prevalence levels of 7%–10%, are poor hygiene measures. These can be addressed, among others, by a reliable hospital cleaning workforce, responsive to hospital requirements and safety standards. In this paper, we address the problem of hospital-wide scheduling of cleaners handling routine and ad-hoc cleaning demand. Demand which can be subject to variation in arrivals and duration accrues in locations such as emergency departments, operating theatres, and wards. On the supply-side, cleaners have different working regulations which means that breaks and a maximum work duration must be considered. To model the problem, we develop a hybrid simulation model which captures these features and enables us to evaluate the current workforce schedule from a collaborating European hospital using a variety of performance metrics and levels of detail. Using a mixed-integer linear programming approach, we generate alternative schedules that indicate substantial improvements as compared to current planning. This provides a more reliable and safer environment for patients and staff.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Schools > Mathematics
Publisher:	Elsevier BV
ISSN:	3050-7847
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	20 July 2026
Date of Acceptance:	2 July 2026
Last Modified:	20 Jul 2026 10:45
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/188310

Actions (repository staff only)

Edit Item