Abstract
IntroductionKey performance indicators are essential navigation tools for hospitals. They provide managers with valid information enabling them to identify institutional strengths and weaknesses and improve managerial performance. In this study, the synthesis of evidence relating to hospital performance indicators was carried out by means of a field review and the indicators were analyzed through the Best Fit Method.MethodsThe five-step approach of Arksey and O’Malley was used as follows: selection of the research question; search for related studies; selection and refinement of the studies; synthesis and tabulation of key information; derivation of the related summary and report. Applying the Best Fit Framework Synthesis Method, the initial themes and subthemes were created and a model of public hospitals performance evaluation finally generated.ResultsForty-nine studies were considered eligible to form part of the synthesis. The final model included the efficiency/productivity, effectiveness and financial themes. The efficiency/productivity sub-themes incorporated human resources indicators, hospital beds, costs, operating room productivity, emergency rooms, ICU, radiology, labs, technology and equipment productivity. Other sub-themes relate to general indicators such as BOR, ALS, number of outpatients and hospitalized patients. Financial themes included profit, revenue, cash flow, cost, investment, assets, debt and liquidity. Concerning effectiveness, the indicators were categorized in terms of access (equity), safety, quality and responsiveness. The accountability indicators were classified into patient-centeredness, staff orientation, and social responsibility.ConclusionHospital performance management is a multi-dimensional issue, each dimension having its own significance. Based on the evidence, indicators are dependent on the evaluation model employed, the evaluation objective, and the views of executive managers and participants in the study. Selection of the most appropriate indicators is therefore key to a comprehensive performance evaluation system.
Highlights
Key performance indicators are essential navigation tools for hospitals
Indicators are dependent on the evaluation model employed, the evaluation objective and the views of executive managers and participants in the study
It follows that a comprehensive and complete performance evaluation system is conditional upon the selection of the most appropriate indicators as a first step
Summary
Key performance indicators are essential navigation tools for hospitals. They provide managers with valid information enabling them to identify institutional strengths and weaknesses and improve managerial performance. In line with the rapid growth of expenses, environmental changes cause hospitals to face many political, economic, social and cultural changes over time. These changes include population ageing, advances in health technologies, development of information technology and telemedicine [6], all of which require rapid and active responses and measures. In this regard, appraisal of hospital performance indicators is an effective strategy for properly managing such changes. Continuous scrutiny of hospital procedures further prepares managers to proactively respond to these changes [7,8,9]
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