Analysis of the performance of the"Clinic-pharmacy separation"reform at a Beijing hospital

Abstract

Objective To analyze the effects of theClinic-pharmacy separationreform in Beijing. Methods Following the chronological order, 60-month operational data of a pilot hospital from 2012 to 2016 were analyzed. These data included medical statistics reports, financial information, HIS information, authority information, and patients′ satisfaction on site. Results Pilot hospital showed that its medical work efficiency continued to grow. During 2013-2016, its outpatients volume growth rate ranged 3.53% ~15.20%, and its number of discharged patients growth rate ranged 3.12%-8.48%. The hospital harvested 12.21 million yuan of converted income from September 2012 (when the reform was in place to cancel the drug markup and collect medical service fees) to August 2013, scoring a smooth shift of revenue sources. Medical insurance fund expenditure did not increase as a result. The percentage of drug expense was significantly decreased, dropping over 15% in 5 years. Outpatient drug fees and inpatient drug fees continued to decline year by year. Patients expressed higher satisfaction over medical services due to longer time of consultation with physicians. Conclusions Clinic-pharmacy separationreform has achieved the following objectives. The revenue is maintained stable; Patients flow is diverted under guidance, with less financial burden; and medical insurance expenditure is under control. We propose to improve the performance incentive and constraint mechanism for drug prescriptions by physicians. Key words: Clinic-pharmacy separation; Public hospitals; Pilot reform; Performance; Analysis