Economics of the pandemic: are your supply chains resilient?
If supply chains can keep pace with demand, food manufacturers may be one of the few industries that could actually see some economic benefit from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The INFORMS Analytics+ Conference showcased how companies are turning advanced analytics and AI into measurable operational results
In most emergency departments, beds are a hot commodity. But some patients don’t actually need a bed for their treatment – and accurately identifying those people is a low-lift but effective way to increase efficiency without sacrificing care quality, finds a study recently published in the journal Management Science.
The researchers developed a simple decision tree, informed by mathematical and machine learning models, to help staff decide whether a patient truly needs a bed or can be routed to a “vertical processing pathway” – that is, an area where they can be treated sitting up. Many hospitals already have such an area but don’t necessarily have a systematic way to decide which patients are treated there.
American teenagers start their school day too early.
Medical experts have been clear for years: sleep cycle changes during puberty make it hard for teenagers to learn in the early morning. Later school start times have been linked to better sleep, improved mental health, stronger academic performance and even safer driving.
Most school district leaders know about this problem and care about fixing it. But changing the schedule can feel operationally impossible.
An audio journey of how data and analytics save lives, save money and solve problems.

Jeff Cohen
Chief Strategy Officer
INFORMS
Catonsville, MD
[email protected]
443-757-3565
Explore our resources for multiple topics including:
If supply chains can keep pace with demand, food manufacturers may be one of the few industries that could actually see some economic benefit from the COVID-19 pandemic.
On March 11, 2020, President Trump banned travel from Europe to the United States for 30 days to slow the spread of COVID-19. Travelers who are legally allowed to enter the U.S., such as U.S. citizens and their families, are now undergoing screening procedures to test for COVID-19 when they reenter the U.S. at one of 13 airports. Various news media report that thousands of these travelers are waiting together for several hours in close quarters for their checked bags and several additional hours to clear customs.
Rarely in life are we encouraged to be selfish – let alone told this selfish deed is actually an altruistic act. But now, with the novel Coronavirus, COVID-19, we all have such an opportunity.
More Baltimore-area hospitals and medical and dental offices are postponing elective procedures after the nation’s top doctor asked facilities to consider halting such procedures as new coronavirus cases spread.
Socializing can help you live a longer, happier, healthier life. But in a viral outbreak, research shows that “social distancing” can benefit your own health and that of entire populations.

OR/MS Today is the INFORMS member magazine that shares the latest research and best practices in operations research, analytics and the management sciences.
Access OR/MS Today Magazine
Analytics magazine showcases articles and research reports based on big data, AI, machine learning, data analytics and other new-age technologies.
Access Analytics Magazine