Efficiency of Prenatal Ultrasound Screening Service in Beijing: A Malmquist-Data Envelopment Analysis

Abstract

Objective To analyze the efficiency of prenatal ultrasound screening service in Beijing and thus optimize the secondary prevention system for birth defects in Beijing. Methods Data were collected from the prenatal screening work reports of Beijing from 2010-2016.Key variables were extracted after data quality control.Data envelopment analysis was performed to analyze the efficiency and changing trend of ultrasound-based screening service and to compare the service efficiency between urban and suburban areas in Beijing. Results From 2010 to 2016,the technical efficiency of ultrasound screening services showed an increasing trend,and the geometric mean of technical efficiency in suburban areas was higher than that in urban areas.From 2010 to 2016,the total factor productivity of ultrasound screening service increased by 12.3% annually,in which the technical change increased by 12.0% annually;the technical efficiency increased by 0.3%,the pure technical efficiency increased by 13.9% annually,and the scale efficiency decreased by 0.4%.Conclusions The technical efficiency of ultrasound screening service in Beijing increased from 2010 to 2016,and the total factor productivity improved.Technical change and pure technical efficiency change were the main reasons for the improvement.The resource allocation should be further optimized to improve the scale efficiency and enhance the training of prenatal ultrasound screening technicians.