Hospital productivity measurement: An engineering approach

A model for measuring hospital productivity is proposed, based on the determination of standard inputs per case. From these standards and the number of cases passing through a hospital, total standard inputs can be determined. Division of the standard inputs by the actual inputs provides productivity figures for each kind of input. Standard inputs per class of cases are calculated, through a chain of matrices, from standard inputs per elementary operation. Classification of cases into diagnostic categories, and the validity of assuming a typical average set of treatments for each class, are discussed. A numerical example is presented which demonstrates the proposed approach for calculating manpower productivity in a maternity ward.