Reassessment of health insurance in patient hospital services in Alexandria: Part II, effect of consolidation

ABSTRACT

The occupancy rate was shown by many authors to be higher in large hospitals [or units] than in small ones. This was explained by the fact that the larger the served population is, the higher the demand will be and hence the fluctuations in the demand will be relatively low. The delivery of services for the insured population in Alexandria is conducted through two independent hospitals. Further more, each hospital is divided into several independent sections. It was mentioned in part I of this study that this could be the reason for the low operational efficiency observed. Based on the previously mentioned situation, this study was conducted to explore the possible effect on consolidation of services. As an example to these effects, the general surgery section was chosen. The results of the study indicate that if consolidation of each of the three general surgery units in each of the two hospitals could be done,36 beds can be saved. This will result in total saving of 198,000 LE of the annual operating expences. Moreover, if consolidation can be further extended to cover all the 6 units of the two hospitals a total of 51 beds can be saved and consequently saving of about 280,000 LE annually can be achieved