Efficiency Of Healthcare Services Research Articles

A Study on Automated Hospital Management System in Nigeria

This thesis underscores the critical importance of effective data management in the operational and survival aspects of contemporary hospitals. Acknowledging the imperative for continuous enhancements in this domain, the study recommends a proactive approach to explore and advance the existing hospital data management project by transitioning it to an online platform. This strategic move includes the implementation of robust security measures, particularly a secure access code system, to fortify the protection of sensitive information. The proposed transition aims not only to modernize the hospital's data management capabilities but also to establish a secure online infrastructure, guarding against unauthorized access and ensuring the integrity and confidentiality of critical healthcare data. The thesis concludes with a comprehensive overview of the development process for the computerized system. A detailed survey of the existing system laid the groundwork for the meticulous design of a database application focused on facilitating the search and retrieval of patient folders. The anticipated automated hospital management system is poised to significantly enhance the overall efficiency of healthcare services for both nurses and doctors, introducing notable improvements such as reduced time spent on locating patient folders, increased accuracy, and timely record preparation. Throughout the implementation phase, substantial efforts were dedicated to eliminating data redundancy and inconsistency, with a specific emphasis on enhancing the integrity of the stored data. The chosen software model, the waterfall model, provided a systematic and sequential approach to software development. Additionally, a structured design methodology was employed during the design stage to ensure clarity and efficiency. Recognizing the sensitivity of healthcare data, the thesis rigorously addresses security concerns by incorporating robust measures into the computerized system. These measures are designed to prevent unauthorized access, safeguarding the confidentiality and privacy of stored data. This multi-faceted approach to system development underscores the commitment to delivering a robust, efficient, and secure automated hospital management system aligned with the evolving needs of healthcare professionals, guaranteeing top-tier levels of data integrity and security.

BENEFITS OF USING TELEMEDICINE IN THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM

Health systems in all countries are facing a variety of challenges in providing universal access to health services or the public’s growing demands for quality care. The COVID-19 pandemic, which began in early 2020, has significantly accelerated the previously of digital development. The use of telemedicine solutions is increasingly recognized as essential in coordinating complex activities that respond to emerging issues in the healthcare system. The implementation of telemedicine solutions aims to promote efficiency in healthcare services and improve healthcare infrastructure. In particular, the rising costs of healthcare systems, as well as rapid technological advances in medicine or demographic changes, justify the use of telemedicine in the area of health.The aim of the article is to assess the benefits of using the potential of telemedicine for the health care system, doctors and patients. The article uses the analysis of the literature on the subject and the results of own research on the use of telemedicine solutions in hospitals on the example of the Łódź Voivodeship.

Mindfulness-based empathy training supported by Obese Simulation Suit: Randomized Controlled Trial

Nursing serves as the foundation of patient-centered healthcare services, and the empathetic connections formed between nurses and patients are integral to delivering quality care. In this context, the mental well-being and empathy levels of nurses significantly impact the efficiency of healthcare services and patient contentment. This study investigates the impact of mindfulness-based empathy training and obese simulation suits on nursing students' attitudes and empathy levels towards obese patients. The research, conducted as a randomized controlled trial, encompassed 84 nursing students and employed the "Attitude Scale Towards Obese Patients," "Jefferson Empathy Scale for Nursing Students," and "Descriptive Information Form." Data analysis involved two-factor ANOVA for mixed measurements. The study revealed significant interaction effects between group and time concerning nursing students' attitudes towards obese individuals [F(1,70) = 43.281, p < 0.05] as well as their empathy levels towards obese individuals [F(1,70) = 15.657, p < 0.05]. The experimental group exhibited a noteworthy increase in both attitudes and empathy levels compared to the control group. Furthermore, Single Factor ANOVA for Repeated Measures revealed a statistically significant difference in the experimental group's attitudes and empathy scores across pretest, posttest, and follow-up assessments [p < 0.01, partial η2 = 0.492 and 0.186, respectively]. These findings underscore the effectiveness of these interventions in enhancing essential nursing competencies necessary for providing comprehensive patient care. Thus, integrating these methods into the curriculum is recommended to cultivate more positive attitudes and heightened empathy among nursing students, particularly concerning obese patients, throughout their educational journey.

Designing a model for implementing diagnosis-related groups in Iran: An action plan approach.

Implementing diagnosis-related groups (DRGs) in different countries increases the efficiency of healthcare services, improves treatment quality, and reduces treatment costs. Due to the lack of a coherent model for its implementation, the present study aimed to develop a DRGs-based implementation action plan Model for Iran. The present study was an applied, descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in three stages. In the first stage, a review of studies conducted in different countries was carried out. In the second stage, a model was designed for an action plan to implement the DRGs in Iran. In the third stage, the model was validated based on the Delphi technique. The DRGs-based implementation action plan model in Iran was designed in three primary axes, including the strategic approach of the DRGs-based implementation action plan, technical dimensions, and executive institutions involved in the DRGs-based implementation action plan. Validation of the designed model showed the agreement of experts (94%) for the mentioned axes. The significance of tailoring a DRGs-based implementation action plan to each country's unique context is well-established. Given the intricacies of the Iranian healthcare system, we recommend an initial pilot implementation of DRGs at the hospital level, followed by a gradual national rollout.

Analysis of The Impact of Hardware And Software System Develop-ments And Inte-gration On The Domestic Healthcare Market

This article examines the profound impact of advanced hardware and software system developments and their integration in transforming the domestic healthcare sector. It explores how these technological advancements are reshaping healthcare delivery, improving patient outcomes, and contributing to the efficiency of healthcare services.

Evaluation of logistics management information system and availability of non-program tracer drugs in public health facilities in Bahir Dar City, Northwest Ethiopia.

The logistics management information system (LMIS) plays a crucial role in effective record-keeping and reporting, ensuring efficient management of stock status and consumption data. A proficient LMIS improves accountability and supports informed logistic decisions in healthcare. Conversely, a subpar LMIS negatively affects essential medicine availability, compromising overall healthcare service efficiency. This study aimed to evaluate the status of the logistics management information system and the availability of non-program tracer drugs (NPTDs) in public health facilities within Bahir Dar City. This study employed an institutional-based cross-sectional study. Data were collected from February 20 to April 30, 2022 in 12 public health facilities located in Bahir Dar City. Structured questionnaire and data abstraction formats were used to gather pertinent data. After checking for completeness, the data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel and SPSS version 23. The primary analytical outcomes involved descriptive statistics, encompassing frequencies, averages, and percentages, which were subsequently presented in tables and figures. Bin card and Internal Facility Report and Resupply Form were the only blank LMIS tools available in all health facilities, while stock-record card was the least available, present in only 2(16.7%) facilities. Nine health facilities (75%) used self-prepared forms to request NPTDs from the Ethiopian Pharmaceutical Supply Agency (EPSA) at the end of the review period, whereas 7(58.3%) used official letters for emergency orders. Additionally, seven health facilities (58.3%) used the Health Commodities Management Information System On the day of the visit, 78.68% of NPTDs were available. Tetracycline eye ointment 1% had the longest stock-out duration, lasting for a mean 69.64 days. Rather than using the RRF, most of facilities opted for their own forms to request NPTDs from EPSA. While it is advisable for all health facilities to maintain continuous availability of tracer drugs, this study revealed that the current state of non-program tracer drug availability falls short of meeting this expectation.

Intimate partner violence, women's health, and rights in the Philippines.

In a recent article, Mercier et al. explored the use of innovative technologies, such as telemedicine, for intimate partner violence victims. They emphasized that these technological advancements can increase the comfort, convenience, and time efficiency of healthcare services for intimate partner violence victims. In addition to these technological advancements, this article advocates for addressing structural barriers and upholding the rights of intimate partner violence victims as crucial steps for enhancing their well-being, using the context of women in the Philippines as an illustrative example.

Determinants of Efficient Healthcare Service Delivery Among Public Hospitals in Kenya: A Case of Makueni County Referral Hospital

Purpose: The primary goal of the study was to determine the factors that contributed to an efficient healthcare service delivery in Makueni County Referral Hospital, Makueni County. The study specifically aimed at establishing the influence of health infrastructure, the effects of human capital and organizational culture on the efficiency of healthcare service delivery in Makueni County Referral Hospital. Methodology: The study employed a descriptive research design, targeting 132 outpatient department staff at Makueni County Referral Hospital. Stratified sampling and Likert-scale structured questionnaires were used to collect data. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics, including frequencies and percentages, and SPSS version 22 for multiple regression analysis. Findings: Results were presented using charts and graphs. For healthcare infrastructure, a strong positive correlation was found (r = 0.604**, p &lt; 0.01), indicating that as infrastructure quality improves, healthcare service efficiency increases. The regression coefficient of healthcare infrastructure (Beta = 0.604, p &lt; 0.001) reinforces the importance of investments. Regarding human capital, the Pearson correlation shows a robust positive correlation (r = 0.588**, p &lt; 0.01), indicating that a skilled workforce enhances efficiency. The regression coefficient (Beta = 0.588, p &lt; 0.001) signifies the impact of education and training. For Pearson Correlation on organizational culture, a significant positive correlation was detected (r = 0.526**, p &lt; 0.01), highlighting its role in improving healthcare efficiency. The regression coefficient (Beta = 0.526, p &lt; 0.001) emphasizes the importance of fostering a positive culture. The study concludes that inadequate healthcare infrastructure, storage deficiencies, and the absence of Quality Control Systems significantly hamper efficient healthcare delivery. The study also affirms the crucial role of human capital in efficient healthcare delivery, with staff training, teamwork, and competency directly influencing service efficiency. The study further establishes the vital role of organizational culture in efficient healthcare delivery, emphasizing the need for healthcare institutions to cultivate a culture prioritizing efficiency and quality to enhance service delivery. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice, and Policy: The study recommends improving medical storage capabilities through efficient inventory management and staff training can ensure the timely availability of essential supplies. Concerning human capital, fostering effective teamwork and collaboration among healthcare staff is critical for streamlined service delivery. Regarding organizational culture, the study recommends addressing concerns related to planning, cooperation, adherence to guidelines, and staff support.

A novel mathematical model for emergency transfer point and facility location

The significance of emergency transfer point and facility location lies in its potential to save lives, optimize resource allocation, and enhance the efficiency of healthcare services during emergencies. It ensures timely patient access and cost-effective care. So, this study introduces a novel Mixed Integer Programming Model (MIP) for addressing the Multi-Facility and Multi-Transfer Point Location Problem (MFMTPLP). The problem involves determining the optimal locations for q facilities and p transfer points to facilitate direct customer access to facilities or through transfer points. The objective is to minimize the maximum expected weight distance for all the required points via transfer points. The study focuses on identifying the required points that carry weight and proposes a viable solution for solving the associated mathematical problems. An important contribution of this study, which has been overlooked in previous research, is the exploration of relevant costs associated with not transferring patients from demand points and hospitalizing them at transfer points. Additionally, the study emphasizes the significance of prioritizing different points and considering the costs associated with not transferring injured individuals from demand points and admitting them to transfer points. Previous models for locating facility and transfer points did not account for these factors. The study concludes by presenting the computed results, which validate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed model.

Smart city healthcare delivery innovations: a systematic review of essential technologies and indicators for developing nations

BackgroundIn recent times, the concept of smart cities has gained remarkable traction globally, driven by the increasing interest in employing technology to address various urban challenges, particularly in the healthcare domain. Smart cities are proving to be transformative, utilizing an extensive array of technological tools and processes to improve healthcare accessibility, optimize patient outcomes, reduce costs, and enhance overall efficiency.MethodsThis article delves into the profound impact of smart cities on the healthcare landscape and discusses its potential implications for the future of healthcare delivery. Moreover, the study explores the necessary infrastructure required for developing countries to establish smart cities capable of providing intelligent health and care services. To ensure a comprehensive analysis, we employed a well-structured search strategy across esteemed databases, including PubMed, OVID, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Scopus. The search scope encompassed articles published up to November 2022, resulting in a meticulous review of 22 relevant articles.ResultsOur findings provide compelling evidence of the pivotal role that smart city technology plays in elevating healthcare delivery, forging a path towards improved accessibility, efficiency, and quality of care for communities worldwide. By harnessing the power of data analytics, Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, and mobile applications, smart cities are driving real-time health monitoring, early disease detection, and personalized treatment approaches.ConclusionSmart cities possess the transformative potential to reshape healthcare practices, providing developing nations with invaluable opportunities to establish intelligent and adaptable healthcare systems customized to their distinct requirements and limitations. Moreover, the implementation of smart healthcare systems in developing nations can lead to enhanced healthcare accessibility and affordability, as the integration of technology can optimize resource allocation and improve the overall efficiency of healthcare services. It also may help alleviate the burden on overburdened healthcare facilities by streamlining patient care processes and reducing wait times, ensuring that medical attention reaches those in need more swiftly.

Healthcare services efficiency and its intrinsic drivers in China: based on the three-stage super-efficiency SBM model

BackgroundThe purpose of this study is to examine the development of healthcare services efficiency in China since the reform of the healthcare system. By examining the development environment of healthcare services in China and examining the driving factors affecting the efficiency of healthcare services, we provide a reference for the future high-quality development of healthcare services in China.MethodsA three-stage super-efficient slack-based measure (SBM) model with undesirable outputs was used to measure the efficiency of healthcae services in 31 Chinese provinces from 2009 to 2021, and a global Malmquist-Luenberger (GML) index was used to assess their spatiotemporal evolution characteristics and internal influencing mechanisms of healthcare services efficiency.ResultsThe empirical results showed that the efficiency of China's healthcare services changed significantly from 2009–2014 and then remained stable. During the study period, the efficiency of healthcare services in the eastern region was higher than the national level, while it was lower in the western region. The results of the analysis of environmental factors indicated that an increase in population density reduced the redundancy of healthcare input resources and that economic development as well as an increase in government subsidies, contributed to an increase in the redundancy of healthcare input resources. The main contribution to the growth of healthcare sercices efficiency in China came from the technological innovation effect, and the growth was most significant in the western region.ConclusionFrom 2009 to 2021, the efficiency of national healthcare services generally showed a slow upward trend, and the efficiency of healthcare services varied widely among regions. Under the existing environmental constraints, relevant departments in each region should strengthen technological innovation in healthcare services, completely focus on the regional catch-up effect, and promote the balanced development of regional health.

Implementing a Joint Operational Plan in Medical Sciences Universities: A Qualitative Policy Analysis in Iran

Background: The joint operational plan was introduced by Iran’s Ministry of Health and Medical Education in 2015 as a way to improve the quality and efficiency of healthcare services by promoting collaboration and coordination among medical sciences universities. The plan aimed to address issues related to overlapping responsibilities, duplication of efforts, and resource constraints among universities. Objectives: This study was conducted to analyze this policy intervention and explore its challenges and opportunities. Methods: Using a qualitative policy analysis approach, this study collected data through documentary analysis and semi-structured interviews with stakeholders at various health system levels. Research participants were selected using purposive and snowball sampling methods. The collected data were analyzed using the framework analysis approach, supported by the policy triangle framework and heuristic model. Results: The policy analysis results yielded 14 categories and 29 sub-categories grouped into four overarching themes: Content, context, process, and actors/stakeholders. The content theme included categories such as the plan’s goals, the linkage between the plan’s goals and upstream policy documents, and the consistency between the plan’s goals and the visions and missions of medical universities. The context theme included structural characteristics, economic and financial factors, and social and cultural situations. The process theme included the issue’s priority, service delivery, policy design and formulation, implementation approach, and assessment and evaluation. The actors/stakeholders theme included categories such as the owner and leader of the policy, political support, and ambiguity in assigning responsibilities. Conclusions: While enforcing a joint operational plan in medical universities can boost performance and foster competition, it may also hinder universities’ ability to pursue innovative interventions and activities outside the plan. To address this issue, stakeholders from various health system levels should work together to modify the plan’s development and implementation process. Effective use of planning tools is crucial for ensuring that medical universities and the health system achieve their goals.

Healthcare Service Efficiency: An Empirical Study on Healthcare Capacity in Various Counties and Cities in Taiwan.

As human lifespan increases and the need for elderly care grows, the demand for healthcare services and its associated costs have surged, causing a decline in the operational efficiency of universal healthcare. This has created an imbalance in medical services across different regions, posing a long-standing challenge for the public. To address this issue, strategies to enhance the capacity, efficiency, and quality of healthcare services in various regions must be developed. The appropriate allocation of medical resources is a fundamental requirement for countries to establish a robust healthcare system. This empirical study utilized data envelopment analysis (DEA) to evaluate the efficiency of medical service capacity and identify potential improvement strategies for counties and cities in Taiwan during the period from 2015 to 2020. The results of this study show that (1) the annual average efficiency of medical service capacity in Taiwan is approximately 90%, indicating that there is still room for a 10% improvement; (2) among the six municipalities, only Taipei City has sufficient healthcare capacity, whereas the efficiency of the remaining municipalities needs improvement; and (3) most counties and cities demonstrated increasing returns to scale, indicating a need to scale up the capacity of medical services as appropriate. Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended that medical personnel be increased accordingly to balance the workload, a favorable working environment be provided to stabilize the medical workforce, and urban-rural medical disparities be balanced to improve service quality and reduce cross-regional health services. These recommendations are expected to provide a reference for society as a whole to promote and enhance public health policies, leading to a continual improvement of the quality of medical services.

Diagnostic performance of deep learning in infectious keratitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol

IntroductionInfectious keratitis (IK) represents the fifth-leading cause of blindness worldwide. A delay in diagnosis is often a major factor in progression to irreversible visual impairment and/or blindness from IK. The...

Lightweight Authentication Scheme for Data Dissemination in Cloud-Assisted Healthcare IoT

Recent advancements in the Internet of Things (IoT) and cloud computing technologies have accelerated the development of various practical applications, including healthcare systems. Adequately revealing the collected healthcare data in a cloud-assisted healthcare IoT system brings a huge potential for improving the safety, quality, and efficiency of healthcare services. However, often the data collected in a healthcare IoT system is vital and sensitive. The dissemination of such data is also vulnerable to malicious attacks such as tampering, eavesdropping, and forgery. Thus, disseminated data's integrity, authenticity, and privacy are elementary security demands to end-users and owners. Also, the resource-constrained nature of healthcare IoT devices invalidates the existing solutions. To address the above challenges, we propose a lightweight and secure redactable signature scheme with coarse-grained additional redaction control (CRS) for secure dissemination of healthcare data in a cloud-assisted healthcare IoT system. The security analysis indicates our CRS is secure against signature forgery, additional redaction attacks, and redacted version linkability. Compared to other existing solutions, our scheme can achieve some level of security but less computational complexity and communication overhead.

A Model for Clinical Coder Satisfaction in Saudi Arabia Based on a Holistic Approach: Clinical, Professional and Organizational Dimensions.

The quality of clinical coding influences not only hospital revenue but also the quality and efficiency of healthcare services. Assessing the coders' satisfaction is essential to optimizing the quality of clinical coding. This mixed-method study used a qualitative approach to propose the study model while testing the model through a quantitative approach. The relevant variables of the satisfaction model were assessed through a survey targeting clinical coders across the country on a timely basis. Fourteen experts participated in establishing the model with three dimensions: professional, organizational, and clinical. Each dimension has its relevant variables. One hundred eighty-four clinical coders participated in phase two. 34.5% were male, 61% held a diploma, 38% had a bachelor's and above, and 49.7% worked in hospitals having fully electronic health records. We found that organizational and clinical dimensions strongly correlate with coders' satisfaction. Noticeably, the most influencing variables were the availability of coding policies and the computer-assisted coding (CAC) system. The results show that the model explains the satisfaction of the clinical coders, and organizational and clinical-related variables are crucial. Although gender-based differences exist, training (regardless of the training mode), coding policies, and the CAC system substantially influence coders' satisfaction. A significant stream of the literature supports these findings. However, attempting a holistic approach to assess coders' satisfaction and affecting coding quality is the added value of this study. Optimizing clinical coding practice requires organization-wide initiatives and policies to regulate coding practices and standards to promote the quality and timeliness of clinical documentation. Training is indispensable not only for clinical coders, but physicians also need to understand the rationale and value of clinical coding. Better utilization of the outcomes of the coding process and adopting the CAC system are significant drivers to enhance coders' satisfaction.

Path analysis and empirical test of medical service enhancement for common prosperity under government participation.

The level of medical services is the link between the two strategic goals of "healthy China" and "common prosperity," and government participation plays an important adjustment role in it, so it is of great theoretical and practical significance to study its inner logic. In this paper, we firstly analyze the mechanism of medical service level to promote the development of common prosperity and the role of government in it; secondly, we construct a panel dynamic regression model and a threshold regression model to verify the relationship between the three. It is found that the contribution of both equity and efficiency of health care services to the achievement of common wealth is non-linear, and the degree of government participation plays an important adjustment role, with single and double threshold effects between them and the level of common prosperity, respectively. In the process of participating in the medical service market, the government should clearly position itself, actively play the demand-led role of the market, encourage private capital to provide quality medical services, and purposefully optimize the financial expenditure structure according to the local actual situation. There are many ways in which the government can be involved in health care, and there will be differences between China and other countries around the world. These are all worthy of further discussion.

The Leadership Eminence: A Rising Stipulation in Allied Health Care

As an organization, allied health professionals have a significant leadership role to play in ensuring quality and safety and enhancing the efficacy and efficiency of health care services. However, competent leadership is frequently underutilized in the health care system. In order to effect change, a multidisciplinary approach is required, with allied health playing a more significant leadership role.

Quality Perceptions, Expectations, and Individual Characteristics among Adult Patients Visiting Primary Healthcare Centers in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Quality is a main concern of primary healthcare centers, and pursuing quality can lead to service improvement as well as affordable healthcare. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to describe patients' healthcare quality perceptions and expectations and determine the relationships between them and associated factors. The study was conducted on a convenience sample of 470 patients visiting primary healthcare centers. Data were collected between April and July 2022 using an anonymous questionnaire. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted. Most participants reported high levels of quality perceptions and expectations. Bivariate analyses showed a significant correlation between quality perceptions and expectations. Both being single and having a higher level of education were statistically different in terms of quality perception and expectations, respectively. Further, being single, highly educated, and employed had significant differences in terms of expectations. In regression, primary education and expectations influenced quality perceptions. Marital status, profession, and perception were the only variables that significantly influenced participants' expectations. Patients' healthcare quality perceptions and expectations are important for ensuring the efficiency of healthcare services. Primary healthcare centers are the key avenue for disease prevention and early detection. The optimization of primary healthcare centers' quality and addressing its potential issues should be performed through interdisciplinary teamwork.

Impact of the development of information society on healthcare efficiency: Empirical evidence from 31 Chinese provinces.

The development of information society has deeply changed the style of the healthcare service delivery and medical information access. This study aims to investigate how the information society development affects the efficiency of healthcare system in China, and explore provincial disparities in the impact. Based on the two-stage Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) framework, this paper uses a panel data from 31 Chinese provinces from 2014 to 2017 to estimate efficiency of healthcare service and analyze the influence of the development of information society on efficiency. With the information society index (ISI) increased from 0.423 to 0.488 during the sample period, the healthcare efficiency experienced a slight decrease from 0.892 to 0.869. Moreover, the pure technical efficiency (PTE) is much lower than the scale efficiency (SE), and thus is the key to enhance the overall technical efficiency (TE). The time-fixed Tobit regression analysis suggests that information society development leads to a significant increase in PTE, but results in a decrease in SE, and therefore has little effect on TE. Further analysis reveals that the impact differs sharply between low-efficiency and high-efficiency provinces. For the low-efficiency provinces, the TE increases significantly with the development of the information society, mainly due to a considerable increase in PTE. In contrast, the TE decreases for the high-efficiency provinces, mainly caused by a decrease in SE. This paper highlights the importance of information infrastructure investment in healthcare system and the application of emerging information technologies to breakout the time and space boundaries of healthcare services in improving overall efficiency. In inefficient provinces, it is also necessary to properly control the growth of healthcare inputs.