Last update:
21-Mar-2016

OBJECTIVE Comparative evaluation of operational and financial hospital performance indicators in the university and National Health Service (NHS) departments of a regional university hospital.

METHOD The study material consisted of the operational and financial figures of 2013, regarding (a) the operating data by department (beds, staffing, discharges, days of hospitalization), and (b) revenue and expenses by department. The comparative analysis was conducted in 9 hospital departments of different medical specialties. The following indicators were calculated: (a) Operating efficiency indicators: average bed occupancy, average duration of stay, (b) human resources performance indicators: days of hospitalization per physician, (c) economic efficiency indicators: Average cost per hospital day, income per day of hospitalization, total economic effect (%), financial outcome per hospital day.

RESULTS The average bed occupancy was found to be higher and the average duration of stay less in the university departments. The annual number of hospital days per physician was found to be higher by 7% in the NHS departments. The revenue per hospital day was higher and the average cost of a hospital day lower in the university departments. The university departments recorded a statistically significantly better financial outcome than that of the respective NHS departments.

CONCLUSIONS In most of the departments of the study hospital, the efficiency indicators of the university departments were more positive than those of the corresponding NHS departments, particularly regarding the financial outcome.

Key words: Average duration of stay, Health services indicators, Hospital efficiency, Hospital evaluation, Hospital utilization.