Performance Assessment of Hospitals Affiliated with Iran University of Medical Sciences: Application of Economic Techniques in Health Care Area

Hospitals are considered as one of the main health delivery systems and the largest and most expensive operational units that have specific importance and sensitivity. This study was conducted to assess the performance of hospitals affiliated with Iran University of Medical Sciences applying economical techniques. This was a cross sectional with a data panel study conducted in 16 hospitals affiliated with Iran University of Medical Sciences in 2006-2012. Two forms according to research objectives were designed one for registering Pabon Lasso indexes and the other for DEA inputs and outputs. Excel software was used for analyzing the former data and Windeap 2.1 for estimating the efficiency and productivity indexes of the hospitals. Pabon Lasso Model shows that in the years 2007 and 2011 the number of hospitals in the third zone was at the maximum level. Furthermore, the mean of technical and managerial efficiency was at the maximum level (0.889±0.135, 0.909± 0.142) in 2011. Malmquist index shows that during the study period the mean of total productivity changes was 1.018 indicating a decrease in hospital productivity during the study period. It seems that system changes in Iran University of Medical Sciences has led to negative fluctuations in efficiency and productivity indexes of the hospitals. Applying managerial approaches along with reassessing the indexes after managerial status of the University is suggested.