Assessing hospital performance in Iran using the Pabon Lasso model

Abstract

Background: Hospitals account for a large share of healthcare system expenditure. Therefore efficient use of resources is a significant goal in all healthcare systems, particularly hospitals. This study was conducted to assess the performance of hospitals affiliated with Qazvin University of Medical Sciences in Iran using the Pabon Lasso Graphical Model during 2008-2010. Method: This cross-sectional study was implemented in six hospitals affiliated with Qazvin University of Medical Sciences. Related data were collected from Qazvin statistical documents during three different years from 2008 to 2010. The statistical software Excel was used to derive three basic performance indicators, namely Average Length of Stay (ALS), Bed Occupancy Rate (BOR) and Bed Turnover (BTO), which were analysed using the Pabon Lasso model. Findings: The overall ALS, BOR and BTO rates were 4.1 days, 68.9% and 61.1 respectively. Just two out of the six hospitals were located in the third zone of the Pabon Lasso diagram with high and acceptable efficiency. Two of the hospitals were in the fourth zone, characteristic of a high BOR but a low BTO rate and low productivity. One out of the six hospitals was located in the second zone of the graph indicating the low BOR and a high BTO rate. One of the other hospitals was situated in the second zone of the diagram in the year 2008, and had then fallen to the first zone during the next years with a low BTO rate and low BOR. Conclusion: Just two out of six hospitals were located in the zone 3 indicating high and acceptable efficiency. This shows that the rest of the hospitals need more improvements in managerial decisions in order to enhance their efficiency and productivity. Abbreviations: ALS - Average Length of Stay; BOR - Bed Occupancy Rate; BTO - Bed Turnover Rate.