Hospitals productivity measurement using data envelopment analysis technique

This study aimed to measure the hospital productivity using data envelopment analysis [DEA] technique and Malmquist indices. This is a cross sectional study in which the panel data were used in a 4 year period from 2007 to 2010. The research was implemented in 12 teaching and non-teaching hospitals of Ahvaz County. Data envelopment analysis technique and the Malmquist indices with an input-orientation approach, was used to analyze the data and estimation of productivity. Data were analyzed using the SPSS.18 and DEAP.2 software. Six hospitals [50%] had a value lower than 1, which represents an increase in total productivity and other hospitals were non-productive. The average of total productivity factor [TPF] was 1.024 for all hospitals, which represents a decrease in efficiency by 2.4% from 2007 to 2010. The average technical, technologic, scale and managerial efficiency change was 0.989, 1.008, 1.028, and 0.996 respectively. There was not a significant difference in mean productivity changes among teaching and non-teaching hospitals [P>0.05] [except in 2009 years]. Productivity rate of hospitals had an increasing trend generally. However, the total average of productivity was decreased in hospitals. Besides, between the several components of total productivity, variation of technological efficiency had the highest impact on reduce of total average of productivity

study on the direct and indirect costs of multiple sclerosis based on expanded disability status scale score in Khuzestan, Iran

Multiple sclerosis is a common and chronic neurologic disorder. This disorder imposes physical, economic, and psychosocial burden on individuals, their families and society. This study aims to analyze the costs of multiple sclerosis disease based on the severity of disability. We performed a cross-sectional cost of illness study. This study was conducted in 332 patients of Khuzestan province of Iran. Data were included: Patient's characteristics, disability status, medical, and nonmedical costs and were gathered by using the questionnaire during 3 months period. Costs analysis was performed in the basis of expanded disability status scale [EDSS]. Data were analyzed by using SPSS 18 software. Mean age of the patients was 33.5 [standard deviation [SD]: 9.1] and 70.5% of patients were female. Mean EDSS score of the patients was 2.2 [SD: 1.6]. Most patients [92.1%] had relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis [MS] form of the disease. Costs mean per patients was 8.6 +/- 7.9 million Rial. The direct and indirect costs were 93.1% and 6.9% of total costs, respectively. The major cost of the disease belongs to the pharmaceutical treatment [22% of costs]. The majority costs [approximately 62%] attributed to EDSS of 6-7 and >7. Furthermore, there was strong significant relationship between cost of illness and disability severity of patients [P < 0.05]. Cost mean per MS patients was relatively high. Furthermore, the results showed that cost of disease had positive and significant relationships with EDSS score that is, progression of disability increase costs of patients

The relationship between job satisfaction and burnout among rehabilitation personnel of Razi Psychiatric Hospital in Tehran

The study about effective management dimensions in hospital staff performance is important. This study was done to survey the relationship between job satisfaction and burnout in the rehabilitation personnel of Razi Psychiatric Hospital in Tehran. In this cross-sectional study, 77 subjects including psychometrics, general practitioners, specialists, nurses, social workers, occupational therapists and psychologists were selected randomly among rehabilitation staff in Razi Psychiatric Hospital in 2011. The data were collected using Maslach Burnout Inventory [MBI] and Minnesota Job Satisfaction Questionnaire [MSQ].The data were analyzed using Pearson's correlation method. Job satisfaction had an inverse relationship with [emotional exhaustion] and depersonalization][p<0.001], but there was not a significant relationship between [personal accomplishment] and [job satisfaction]. The mean of emotional exhaustion was 68.18, depersonalization 68.4 and personal accomplishment 29.36. In addition, the results of this study showed that 36.6 percent of rehabilitation team employees in Razi Psychiatric Hospital were satisfied with their jobs. As the results show, it is necessary to perform further research to find the main reasons of intensifying job burnout and then reduce these critical factors leading to personnel dissatisfaction from their jobs and any probable consequence of this dissatisfaction. [Haghighizadeh M H. Daryaeepoor S. Ghasemzadeh R.Zahiri M. The relationship between job satisfaction and burnout among rehabilitation personnel of Raazi Psychiatric Hospital in Tehran. IJHS 2013; 1[1]: 25-30] http:/jhs.mazums.ac.ir

[Standardization of data elements of audiology records: a suitable model for Iran]

Providing high quality health care is not possible without information related to the past and current condition of the patient. Records show which services, where, when and by whom was delivered. Documentation is referred to the process of precisely recording the information regarding patient care and treatment. The purpose of this study is to determine the essential data set required in audiology record keeping and designing a model for Iran. In an applied research of a descriptive-comparative type which was carried out in 2010, data elements of audiology records of domestic and foreign patient notes were used to compile a check list which was subjected to debate by Iranian audiologists in Delphi method. 110 audiologists and 17 faculty members responded to the opinion poll. From 51 elements which were subjected to discussion, 37 elements by more than 75 percent of the participants, nine elements by 50 to 75 percent of the participants and five elements by less than 50 percent of the participants, were agreed upon. The only element to be considered more important by faculty members than audiologists was "Gender" [p=0.018]. Seventy percent of the participants valued the effectiveness of information in patient records very high. The minimum data set for audiology records must include demographic information, past medical history, patient assessment and treatment plan. With reference to record design principles this information was used to develop a model for patient audiology record which also included the necessary instructions for completing it