Comparison of performance indicators in hospitals of Tehran with national standards

Evaluation of performance and effectiveness in hospitals is one of the essential issues. Many indicators are expressed as known performance indicators and hospital situation can be evaluated by calculation and comparison of these indicators with standards. This study aimed to investigate and evaluate the performance indicators of hospitals of Tehran and compare the favorable performance to existing conditions in order to provide a picture of the actual performance of the mentioned hospitals.

In this cross-sectional descriptive study some performance indicators of selective hospitals was compared to results from the years before and also to the available standard in year 2007. Performance indicators used in Iran were extracted from electronic and library resources. The standard questionnaire of Ministry of Health was used for collecting data. Data were analyzed using χ2 statistical method by SPSS 17 software.

Most of studied indicators including active/fixed bed ratio, bed occupancy rate and rate of admissions per bed had a favorable condition compared to other studies and existing standards, but turnover rate and average length of stay were in unfavorable condition.

Turnover rate and average length of stay which are in direct relationship have an unfavorable condition and essential measures should be taken for their improvement. Other indicators are in favorable condition and some are even in higher than expected situation.