This paper is the authors' attempt to summarize major aspects of an admissions and OR scheduling systems. The admissions scheduling system can help achieve a stabilization of elective OR procedures and potential increase in utilization of ORs; however, a computer-aided-OR scheduling system is needed to meet the special needs of the OR scheduling process. Thus, combined use of an admissions and OR scheduling system appears to provide the best opportunity for reducing hospital costs as well as providing superior service.