An Intelligent Approach to Bed Occupancy Modelling to Enhance Patient Care

There is a lot of variability in lengths of stay (LoS) in hospital for different conditions. LoS for the same diagnosis might vary from 2 to 50+ days, with the variation potentially accounted for by co-morbidities. We would like to be able to provide a more accurate prediction of bed usage (and impending problems) in the medium future. The hospital collects a significant amount of data already, which includes discharge information, but this might not be sufficient. The project will investigate:

– Is sufficient data collected, and if not what should be added?

– What kind of modelling has been done in the past?

– What modelling can we do?

– What appropriate visualisation can be used can we provide realistic evaluation?

– How can this be translated to other health boards?

From a clinical point of view it would be good to predict that there might be bed problems in four weeks time because of the type of admissions over the last two weeks and that may help to better plan elective activity (e.g. operations).

The modelling will concentrate on generic machine learning approaches in the first instance, and clearly the fuzzy-rough, manifold learning and deep learning expertise at Aberystwyth University will be exploited. This project is about scheduling, resource management, and classification.

The prospective applicant should have a minimum of a 1st or good 2:1 in a relevant degree, and be available to take up the studentship by October 2018. The project is part-funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) through the European Union’s Convergence programme administered by the Welsh Government. KESS II PhD scholarships are collaborative awards with external partners. (Applicants need to only apply, they do not need to search for partners.)

To apply, please submit the following to the Postgraduate Admissions Office (address below) by 4th June 2018.

A completed Research Programme Application Form, two references. Application and reference forms may be downloaded from http://www.aber.ac.uk/en/postgrad/howtoapply/
A completed KESS II Participant proposal form (put the reference number AU30022 in the top right hand box of the application form) and an up-to-date CV. KESS II application forms are available to download at the link below.
https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/rbi/business/services/initiatives/kess/currentscholarshipvacanciesandapplicationforms/

A PhD proposal of up to 1,000 words where you expand on your experience and interests and describe why you are a good candidate for this research studentship. Please refer to the Project Description.
Value of Award: A stipend of £14,340 (rising in accordance with inflation for the remaining two years). Each scholarship has an additional budget for travel, equipment/consumables and training to support your research. KESS II PhD Scholarship holders do not pay fees.

Length: Full-time for 3 years. (Theses must be submitted 6 months after the funded three year study period.)

Training: The achievement of a Postgraduate Skills Development Award (PSDA) is compulsory for each KESS II scholar (The PSDA is based on a 60 credit award, which is an additional award to the PhD).

Eligibility: To be eligible to apply for a KESS II award, you must be resident, upon starting the scholarship, in the Convergence Area of Wales and you must be able to take paid employment in the Convergence area on completion of the scholarship.

For further student eligibility criteria related to the individual projects, please view the details of the individual project above.

Informal enquiries should be made to Dr Neil Mac Parthalain at [Email Address Removed] or 01970 622869 or to Professor Reyer Zwiggelaar at [Email Address Removed] or 01970 628691

Address for applications:

Postgraduate Admissions Office
Recruitment & Admissions
Student Welcome Centre
Aberystwyth University
Aberystwyth
SY23 3FB

Quote Reference AU30022

Closing date for applications 4th June 2018