The operational determinants of hospitals' inpatients departments efficiency in Jordan

Abstract

The aim of this research is to examine the impact of hospitals operational factors on the efficiency of public hospitals' inpatient departments in Jordan as a case in developing countries. Secondary data were collected from the annual statistical reports of the Ministry of Health. 15 out of 31 hospitals were surveyed, 9 out of 12 departments were investigated. DEA (CCR) input model was used to analyse the departments' efficiency. Non-parametric statistical techniques were used to analyse the relationship between variables. This study revealed that hospital's inpatients departments were categorised into extremely high efficient, high efficient, moderate efficient, low efficient, and extremely low efficient. No significant differences were found in efficiency among departments except ear nose and throat department with some departments, and ICU department with gynecology. Also, it was found that the location of hospital, capacity, and ALOS are not determinants for efficiency of all hospitals' inpatients departments, occupancy rate is a determinant for some hospitals' efficiency. The previous studies have focused mainly on reporting efficiency at hospital level with limited concern about reporting the departments' efficiency and all of them have not investigated the impact of multi operational determinants on efficiency.