Performance evaluation of hospitals affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences using a hybrid model of data envelopment analysis and PROMETHEE method

The limited economic resources and investment in university educational hospitals is an important issue. Therefore, the optimal allocation of existing funds and resources has a great impact on providing appropriate medical services and improving the efficiency of hospitals. This study aimed to evaluate the performance and efficiency of hospitals in Tehran University of Medical Sciences.
In this study, by employing data envelopment analysis, the performance of 40 hospitals of Tehran University of Medical Sciences was evaluated through five inputs and eight outputs, by assuming variable return on scale and with an input-and-output-based approach. Finally, the ranking of efficient units was done by PROMETHEE method.
The results of DEA method showed that 13 out of 40 hospitals had a performance less than one and they were inefficient. Then, using PROMETHEE ranking method, Hospital 20, with a net flow of 0.7452, was designated as the best hospital among efficient hospitals.
The sensitivity analysis on weights was shown that the results of the model were reliable and had high efficiency. Using the results of this approach, top managers of healthcare centers can apply necessary planning to optimally use their resources.