Showing 40 results for Hospital
Akram Bani Asadi, Soudabeh Vatankhah, Agha Fatemeh Hosseini,
Volume 11, Issue 1 (8-2013)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Quality measurement and management has changed to be one of the most important topics in health care today. This study aims to analyze service quality through Importance-performance Analysis tool in selected hospitals.
Materials and Methods : This is an Analytical-descriptive study. Research community was all admitted patients to four hospitals during a specific period, the sample of the study consists of 284 inpatient person selected by stratified random sampling method. The main instrument was a questionnaire consists of two parts "importance" and "performance" with the same items in 8 dimensions. Assigning the scores for each of those service items in a two-dimensional diagram with four cell, each gives special guideline for hospitals. SPSS 17.0 for windows was employed for the scale measurement.
Results: The results of the study indicate that the most important dimensions in patients attribute with 3.55 mean were for "accountability" and the best performance in patients point of view was for "responsiveness" and "reliability". The key dissatisfier with least importance and performance score was for "service organization" with the mean of 3.11.
In analyzing service quality, reliability, empathy, assurance and accountability dimensions were located in Cell I, service process was located in Cell II, service organization was located in Cell III and finally tangibles and responsiveness dimensions were located in Cell IV.
Conclusion: Application of IPA to these data showed that developing service process management system in order to improve process of service delivering is important directions for hospitals to work on.
Amir Ashkan Nasiripour, Mohammad Reza Maleki, Pouran Raeisi, Marzieh Javadi,
Volume 11, Issue 2 (11-2013)
Abstract
Background and Aim : It is impossible to deny the threats and risks endangering the process of health care when offering the services. Confirming this fact does not mean ignorance the risk, or allowance to medical and nursing mistakes to happen however, it can mean approaching the problem to come up with practical solutions and minimize the risks in the process of providing health care services. The present study was conducted periodically as an applied multi-stage research.
Materials and Methods : To do a model of clinical risk management, different authentic texts on risk management in health sector were reviewed focusing on the models available. All such models were tabulated, analyzed and compared together which resulted 62 primary variables. The variables were, then, validated being used in a questionnaire responded by 20 nurses and doctors which, this time, produced a confirmed questionnaire of 40 variables. After that, 215 subjects chosen through a random and a stratified sampling were asked to respond to that questionnaire, making an exploratory factor analysis as well.
Results : This study was done, using principal components analysis as with a rotation of Varimax loadings showed a variety of factors (19 factors) available in the models of clinical risk management were loaded as "organizing and policy-making" factor. This factor illuminated a sum of 25.3% of variances in the model of clinical risk management. The results also showed the loading factor of variables as among 0.5 and 0.7 which indicated a fine correlation among them and the participants' view.
Conclusion: It was concluded that "the best care of the patient is accepted as a common perspective in organization" and "the effect of the treatment team's clinical performance on their financial payments" are the most and the least important variables respectively with 0.739 and 0.548 as factor load.
Manal Etemadi, Mohsen Ghafari Darab, Elahe Khorasani, Fardin Moradi, Habibeh Vaziri Nasab,
Volume 12, Issue 4 (3-2015)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Social loafing is the phenomenon of people deliberately exerting less effort to achieve a goal when they work in a group as compared to when they work alone. People who feel they are being treated unfair in an organization would be more likely to show this phenomenon. This study investigated the social loafing among nurses and its relationship with organizational justice in Tohid Hospital in Sanandaj, Iran.
Materials and Methods: This was a correlational descriptive-analytical study conducted in 2012. The study population was all nurses working in Tohid Hospital in Sanandaj, Iran. Data were collected using a valid questionnaire. For data analysis SPSS-20 software was used, the descriptive statistics being frequency distribution, mean, standard deviation, and the Spearman, Mann-Whitney, and Kruskal-Wallis tests .
Results : The highest organizational justice component was found to be organizational justice (0.086 ± 3.39), and the mean of social loafing was higher in comparison with organizational justice. According to the Spearman test, all organizational justice components had inverse relations with social loafing. Only distributive organizational justice was significantly related to social loafing (p<0.05).
Conclusion: It can be concluded that the personnel are highly sensitive to distributive justice and managers need to create the feeling that the organization has a fair distribution of resources. Hospitals should try to minimize the negative effects associated with loafing by creating an environment that discourages social loafing. One way to achieve this goal is to try to impress the personnel by telling them that their functions are important , such that they feel their job is important and that the role of nurses in connection with the patients is of value and significant.
Mohammad Reza Tavakoli, Saeed Karimi, Marzieh Javadi, Alireza Jabbari,
Volume 14, Issue 1 (6-2016)
Abstract
Background and Aim: In 1995 the new plan (system) of hospital administration plan/scheme (fee for service) was communicated. According to this plan a proportion (percentage) of the hospital income would be allocated to the hospital staff as a fee for service; the remaining would, after deducting other expenditures, be allocated for the autonomy of the hospital. Based on the plan/scheme, the Supervisory Board will consist of two main committees, namely, the High Supervisory Board and the Supervisory Board for the Centers (hospitals). The main objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of the Supervisory Board in the new system of hospital administration plan in selected teaching hospitals of Esfahan, Iran in 2014.
Materials and Methods: This was a qualitative research. Eleven individuals were selected by targeted sampling and interviewed using semi-structured interviews. The thematic analysis method was used to analyze the data.
Result: Based on the thematic analysis results, the main source of weakness in the underlying and structural factors (developing programs and the implementation phase) was the Hospital Administration Supervisory Board in the new system.
Conclusion: It can be concluded that the most notable findings in this study are weaknesses in the underlying and structural factors (developing the program) and weak underlying and structural factors (implementation of the program). The findings will help health policy-makers to develop suitable strategies and a plan of action to minimize weaknesses of the new fee for service scheme/plan.
Shirin Rezaei, Abbas Rahimi Foroushani, Mohammad Arab, Ebrahim Jaafaripooyan,
Volume 14, Issue 2 (9-2016)
Abstract
Background and Aim: A New Health Reform Plan consisting of seven programs was initiated in Iran in mid-May 2015 aiming to reduce the out-of-pocket payments, improve the public’s health, and promote the public health indicators. This study was conducted to determine the effect of the Plan on the performance indicators of Hamedan university hospitals.
Materials and Methods: In this longitudinal descriptive-analytical study, based on the interrupted time series design, data related to hospital performance indicators were collected from all (15) Hamedan University hospitals for a period of 15 months (7 months before, and 7 months after, the implementation of the Plan, with a one-month interval in between). The SPSS software was used for data analysis.
Results: The data indicated changes in all the performance indicators after the implementation of the Plan. The largest changes were in the number of emergency and selective surgeries and the smallest in the ratio of active to total beds. Further analysis of the data showed that, as compared to the same months in the previous year, only a small number of these changes (number of emergency surgical operations and the ratio of active to total beds) were statistically significant.
Conclusion: Based on the findings it can be concluded that changes have occurred in all the selected indicators as a result of implementation of the New Reform Plan, indicating that the Plan has affected favorably performance of the hospitals. However, the effects observed should be judged cautiously, considering the possible negative consequences such as induced demand and hospital workload increase in the long run.
Ebrahim Jaafaripooyan, Abolghasem Pourreza, Fatemeh Kheirollahi,
Volume 15, Issue 3 (12-2017)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Following the deployment of the Health Transformation Plan (HTP) in most of the public hospitals, various changes occurred in the relationships between insurance organizations and hospitals. The purpose of this study was to find the obstacles and challenges facing the two types of organizations and suggest solutions.
Materials and Methods: This was an exploratory study. The research population was a total of 74 participants from Tehran public, private and military hospitals (managers, senior nursing officers, financial officers, and chiefs of accounting) and basic and complementary insuring organizations (insurance agents in hospitals, insurance officers from insuring organizations, and insurance managers). Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis.
Results: The most important challenges were as follows: acting on one’s own preferences, deductions, delays in the payments of hospital expenditures, an insufficient number of insurance agents in some hospitals, insufficient accountability of hospital personnel in expenditure management, lack of sufficient interaction between the two organizations, and lack of contracts between complementary insurance companies and public hospitals and between private hospitals and basic insurance organizations.
Conclusion: Given the importance and sensitivity of the relations between the health service providers and receivers and considering further the complexity and challenges that appeared after HTP and hospital accreditations, a knowledge of the challenges identified in this research can help policy-makers and managers to find suitable, effective strategies for enhancing relations and communication between insurance companies and hospitals.
Mahnaz Mayelafshar, Mehdi Memarpour, Leyla Riahi,
Volume 15, Issue 3 (12-2017)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Medication is a very important part of care and therapeutic services in health service delivery units. Therefore, medication errors in hospitals may cause serious problems in patient care and, even, death. This study aimed to determine the relationship between the type of medication errors reported and patient safety standards in a public hospital in Tehran, Iran.
Materials and Methods: In this study, the establishment of safety standards in 30 departments of Rajaee Hospital in Tehran, Iran and its relation to quality reporting medication errors by the hospital medical staff during the period 1391-1395 were investigated. Data were collected using two separate checklists, namely, "The establishment of medication safety” using the model 6R" and "The quality of reporting medication errors" and analyzed using the SPSS software, the statistical tests being inferential statistical tests including chi-square, phi coefficient and Cramer’s V.
Results: The data showed that the drug safety standards were established as regards five of the six components in this hospital (the sixth was safe patient positioning). The patient safety establishment was statistically significantly associated with the type of medication errors reported in the hospitals.
Conclusion: Since the process of drug therapy is a common practice in nursing services in the cardiac intensive care units, increased knowledge of nurses about the causes of medication errors, in order to prevent and reduce the occurrence of these errors, is considered quite necessary. Recommendations were made to reduce medication errors in hospitals.
Ali Mohammad Mosadeghrad, Ensiyeh Ashrafi,
Volume 15, Issue 4 (3-2018)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Quality management, as an organizational strategy, helps enhance hospital effectiveness and efficiency. This study aimed to examine the effect of a quality management model on the efficiency
of the respiratory intensive care unit in Labafijejad Hospital, Tehran in 2013-14.
Materials and Methods: This was a participatory action research conducted in
the respiratory intensive care unit in Labafijejad Hospital, Tehran in 2013-14. A quality improvement team was formed to implement the quality management system and promote working processes. The team identified and standardized working processes, determined the quality goals for the processes, and improved the processes based on the 10-stage Mosaddeghirad Quality Management model. Performance indicators of the unit (bed occupancy, bed turnover, and bed interval rates; patient average length of stay in the ward) were calculated and compared before and after the intervention.
Results: Implementing quality management brought about an increase of 2.8% and 19.2% in bed occupancy rate and bed turnover rate, respectively, as well as a decrease of 14.1% in patient average length of stay and a decrease of 35.6% in bed interval rate in the respiratory intensive care unit of the hospital.
Conclusion: Implementing quality management can increase the efficiency of the respiratory intensive care unit of a hospital. A suitable quality management system and the commitment of the hospital manager and staff can result in enhancement of efficenicy in a hospital.
Ali Mohammad Mosadeghrad, Seyed Shahabeddin Shahebrahimi, Mehdi Ghazanfari,
Volume 16, Issue 1 (6-2018)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Hospital accreditation is a systematic external evaluation of a hospital’s structures, processes and results (outputs/ outcome) by an independent professional accreditation body using pre-established optimum standards. This study aimed to examine the relationship between accreditation and hospital performance. In addition, the most important accreditation constructs affecting hospital performance were identified and ranked.
Materials and Methods: This descriptive, correlational and cross-sectional study was conducted using the data related to accreditation scores and nine performance indicators of 121 hospitals in 2014 and 123 hospitals in 2015 in Tehran province, Iran. Shannon entropy method was used for calculating the weights of the hospital indicators. Then, Feature Selection method in data mining was used to explore the relationship between accreditation scores and hospital indicators. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Modeler software. Analyses were carried out at the 0.05 significance level
Results: The mean of hospitals’ accreditation scores were 61.98% and 69.56% in 2014 and 2015 respectively. All performance indicators except the number of outpatients were increased in 2015 compared to 2014. There was no significant difference in the scores between 2014 and 2015 data. Hospitals’ accreditation scores were not associated with their performances. However, accreditation scores of leadership and management; accident and emergency; and procurement departments had the most effect on hospitals’ performance.
Conclusion: Accreditation was not correlated with hospital performance. Thus, improving accreditation system including standards, methods and surveyors and using quality management strategies in hospitals are necessary for improving hospital’ performance.
Hossein Dargahi, Alireza Darrudi, Mehrzad Rezaei Abgoli,
Volume 16, Issue 3 (12-2018)
Abstract
Background and Aim: All hospitals need to be monitored and continuously evaluated. Pabon Lasso graphical model assesses the efficiency of hospitals using a combination of their input data and performance indicators. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of Iran Health System Evolution Plan on Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS) hospitals’ performance indicators using the Pabon Lasso model in 2016.
Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive-analytical and cross-sectional study including 8 general and specialized hospitals. The hospital input data and performance indicators were collected by permission of TUMS Vice-chancellor’s Office for Therapeutic Services. Chi-square and the two-sample T2 tests were used for data analysis, and hospital performance was assessed using the Pabon Lasso Model.
Results: The results showed that the number of TUMS hospitals located in zones 3 and 4 had increased after implementation of the Iran Health System Evolution Plan, which indicates improved efficiency of these hospitals, as confirmed by the chi-square test.
Conclusion: Based on the Pabon Lasso graphical model, it can be concluded that the performance indicators of the hospitals show improvements in performance after implementation of the Iran Health System Evolution Plan. The successful experience in the management of the hospitals in this study can act as a practical guide for managers of other hospitals throughout the country for better management.
Ali Mohammad Mosadeghrad, Abolghasem Pourreza, Fatemeh Yaghubi-Fard,
Volume 16, Issue 4 (3-2019)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Burn injuries cause severe devastating losses and early death. Care and treatment of burns patients is very costly. The purpose of this study was to calculate the economic burden of care and treatment of burn injuries in a hospital in Ahvaz, Iran.
Materials and Methods: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out in 2015 in Taleghani Hospital, Ahvaz, Iran. A total of 315 patients participated in the study. Data was collected, using a valid and reliable questionnaire, through interviews with patients or their relatives on the day of discharge and examining their medical records. Data analysis was done using standard statistical tests and the SPSS (V.22) software.
Results: The mean total cost of care and treatment of an inpatient with burns was 117,071,803.00 Iranian Rials (equivalent to US$ 4,063.00), the mean daily cost being 8,501,946.00 Iranian Rials (equivalent to US$ 295.00). Direct medical costs, direct non-medical costs and indirect costs accounted for 94.1%, 1.4% and 4.5% of the total cost, respectively. The patients’ out-of-pocket payment was 7.7% of the total direct costs. Surgery, drug and diagnosis costs accounted for the largest fraction of the total treatment cost.
Conclusion: The total cost of care and treatment of burns patients in the hospital is very high, imposed on patients, their relatives, government and health insurance companies. The government and insurance companies should provide financial protection to facilitate the process of care and treatment of burns patients.
Mohammad Khamarnia, Arezo Ali Nezhad Ranjbar, Mahdiyeh Bakhshi,
Volume 17, Issue 2 (9-2019)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Accreditation is one of the important measures in the evaluation of health services. Today, the issue of accreditation has been established with the aim of creating and promoting a safety culture and quality of patient care. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of accreditation on key and performance indicators of public hospitals in Zahedan before and after its implementation.
Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytic cross-sectional study was conducted in 1396 in governmental hospitals of Zahedan University of Medical Sciences (Khatam-ol-Anbia and Ali ibn Abi Talib, AS). All of the key indicators of hospital performance were evaluated two years before the implementation of the accreditation (years 1391-1392) and two years after the implementation of the accreditation (1394-1395) in these hospitals. Data was collected using a form designed for study purposes. Descriptive statistics, tables and descriptive charts were used to draw information.
Results: Based on the results of the study, the duration of stay of patients after the implementation of the accreditation scheme in hospitals has improved somewhat and decreased by 0.5 days to 4 days in 1395. The rate of cesarean delivery has risen from 49.2% in 1391 to 56.8 in 1395. The percentage of flat occupancy has risen to over 90 percent in 1395. The bed rotation distance was reduced by 31.1%, and releasing by personal desire in 1395 was 9% lower than in 1394. The personal satisfaction score of the emergency releasing by personal desire also dropped by 7%. It should be noted that there was no change in the net mortality index before and after the validation.
Conclusion: Accreditation has had a favorable impact on hospital performance indicators of course, the implementation of the healthcare reform plan may also have an impact on this. In general, the implementation of accreditation in the hospitals of the country can reduce the problems in this sector and provide more quality services to clients. Also, for better implementation of this program, emphasis on mortality and cesarean section rates can lead to improved hospital performance.
Maryam Jamshidi Moghadam, Gholam Reza Jahed Khaniki, Abbas Rahimi Foroushani, Nabi Shariatifar,
Volume 17, Issue 3 (12-2019)
Abstract
Safe food and proper nutrition play a vital role in the health of populations. Food-borne diseases are a serious public health problem. Food handlers working in the kitchen play an important role in the transmission of foodborne diseases. Food-borne diseases, especially those caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi, are preventable. Proper manpower training is a key factor in provision of safe food and prevention of malnutrition.
Materials and Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional and applied study was conducted in 10 hospitals affiliated with Tehran University of Medical Sciences in 2017. The knowledge, attitude and practice of 136 food handlers working in the kitchens of the hospitals was assessed using questionnaires.
Results: Analysis of the data showed that 8.08% of the participants had a good knowledge about food hygiene and safety (a score above 75%), while 16.7% of them achieved the full score as regards attitude. The hospitals’ performance was at a desirable level. The level of food hygiene and safety knowledge of the food handlers was significantly associated with their refresher trainings (p <0.05).
Conclusion: It can be concluded that the awareness of food handlers in most of the hospitals about food hygiene and safety is not sufficiently high. It is suggested to design and implement proper refresher training crash courses, as well as sensitize the personnel.
Ali Labaf, Mohammad Jalili, Ebrahim Jaafari Pooyan, Maryam Mazinani,
Volume 18, Issue 4 (3-2021)
Abstract
Background and Aim: The strategies of hospitals in confronting the Covid-19 crisis is extremely important in the control and management of this epidemic. Exploring the challenges and suitable strategies for controlling biological epidemics in Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS) hospitals might pave the way for better management of possible similar crises in the future.
Materials and Methods: This was a qualitative, exploratory and inductive study including 22 health professionals from TUMS involved in the management of the disease. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and analysed by thematic analysis, using MAXQDA.
Results: The most important challenges identified were related to the lack of preparedness at the macro-level, impracticability of controlling the use of personal protection equipment (PPE) and the consumption of medications, as well as provision of equipment, medications and protecting medical devices. The effective strategies and interventions in the pandemic were grouped into the following categories: manpower, education, communications, clinical work, decision-making and organizational activities.
Conclusion: Preventive measures and preparedness before the onset of the crisis have not received sufficient attention. Hospitals could have an important role in confronting the crisis through promoting work efficiency and standards. Timely prevention and preparedness before a pandemic as regards medications, personal protection equipment and diagnostics are extremely essential, as are timely and flexible decisions by crisis committees and the control of manpower emotions flux during crisis management.
Somayeh Nouri, Azar Tol, Roya Sadeghi, Afshin Bahmani, Mehdi Yaseri,
Volume 18, Issue 4 (3-2021)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Despite the increasing prevalence of infection with some blood-borne viruses, no standard precautions have been developed so far based on the Health Belief Model (HBM). This study aimed to assess, based on the HBM, the predictors of adherence to standard precautions in preventing needle stick injuries among the Personnel of Sanandaj Teaching Hospitals, Sanandaj City, Iran in 2020.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 444 medical and non-medical staff members of the Sanandaj teaching hospitals in Sanandaj City, Iran, using a researcher-developed questionnaire. Descriptive and analytical data analysis was performed using Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests, Pearson correlation coefficient, one-way analysis of variance, multivariate regression and the chi-square test, the software being SPSS version 22.
Results: The results of multivariate regression analysis showed that from among the HBM constructs, three constructs, namely perceived sensitivity (p=0.033), perceived benefits (p=0.032) and self-efficacy (p=0.001), were the predictors of staff duty performance (implementation of standard precautions) in preventing needle stick injuries. As regards the implementation of standard precautions, 22%, 75.3% and 2.7% of the staff members had a low, medium and high performance level, respectively.
Conclusion: The constructs of perceived sensitivity, perceived benefits and self-efficacy are the strongest predictors in adherence to standard precautions.
Ali Mohammad Mosadeghrad, Hosein Dargahi, Mahdi Abbasi, Mina Mirzaeianrad,
Volume 19, Issue 4 (3-2022)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Occupational injuries are an important human resource management challenge with negative effects on employees and organizations. A knowledge of the prevalence of occupational injuries is the first step in eliminating or reducing them. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of occupational injuries among financial employees of hospitals affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences.
Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional questionnaire survey conducted in 2019 in 13 hospitals of Tehran University of Medical Sciences using a valid questionnaire to gather data. A total of 162 questionnaires were randomly distributed among the financial staff of the hospitals, but only 147 subjects completed the questionnaires. Data were analyzed using the SPSS statistical software.
Result: Analysis of the data showed that 52.6% and 50.2% of the financial staff of the hospitals were suffering from physical and mental occupational injuries, respectively. Most of the occupational physical injuries were related to headache, neck pain, back pain and visual impairment, and most of the occupational psychiatric injuries were stress and anxiety. Female and single employees experienced significantly more occupational injuries. Working in a sitting position for a long time, lack of proper equipment operation, lack of safety and health facilities, insufficient training and carelessness of staff were the causes of musculoskeletal injuries.
Conclusion: About half of the hospital financial staff were found to suffer from occupational injuries. Occupational injuries had had direct and indirect costs for the employees and the hospitals. Hospital managers should plan and implement measures to eliminate or reduce occupational injuries at an individual, group, and organizational level.
Mohammad Khammarnia, Mostafa Peyvand, Nasim Mohammadiyane Razangi,
Volume 20, Issue 3 (12-2022)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Diabetes is a disease in which blood sugar level is high due to hormonal disturbances. Monitoring and evaluation certainly helps to prevent, manage and control this widespread disease. The aim of this study was to study the epidemiology of diabetes in the Diabetes Clinic in Bu-Ali Hospital, Zahedan in South East Iran.
Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study conducted in 2020 including all the 1164 patients referring to the Diabetes Clinic in Bu-Ali Hospital. Data were collected using a standard check list and analyzed using the Stata-v14 software.
Results: Information on 1164 patients with diabetes was recorded and analyzed. Most (97.7%) of the patients had type-2 diabetes. The average fasting blood sugar in patients with type-1 and type-2 diabetesd was 236 and 201 mg/dL respectively, the corresponding A1C levels being abnormally high ─ 9.6% and 8.4%. Fasting blood sugar was associated with diabetic foot complications and nephropathy (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study the level of care of diabetic patients in terms of quantity and quality is not quite acceptable, not conforming to the respective national standards. This issue indicates the unfavorable performance of the Diabetes Center, which can be attributed to the poor conditions of the geographic region, insufficient equipment and specialized manpower and low health literacy of the people. Therefore, increasing the awareness of overweight and obese people, especially those with a family history of diabetes, about prevention can help to reduce the incidence of the disease or minimize its complications.
Aboulghasem Pour-Reza, Ali Mohammad Mosadeghrad, Farinaz Moghadasi,
Volume 20, Issue 3 (12-2022)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Surgical site infection (SSI) is an infection that occurs within 30 days after surgery and involves the skin and subcutaneous tissue of the surgical incision. It is one of the most common nosocomial infections which, in addition to endangering lives of the patients, increases the heath care expenditures in the health system. The objective of this study was to estimate the cost of surgical site infections in hospitals.
Materials and Methods: This was a case-control study conducted in a teaching hospital in Kashan, Iran in 2017 to find information about direct hospitalization costs of surgical site infections. Detailed information about the hospiutalization costs of case and control patients was extracted using patient records and the hospital information system software.
Results: Out of all the patients 115 (1.04%) experienced an SSI. The median additional direct medical cost was US$ 2577 and US$ 1034 for the case and control in-patients, respectively (p <0.001). The cost of treating SSI was US$ 1543 per patient. The direct hospitalization costs were 2.5 times greater for patients with an SSI than for those without an SSI. Further analysis of the data showed that the cost of SSI was related to the patient's age, duration of surgery and length of hospital stay before infection.
Conclusion: Surgical site infection treatment costs imposes high costs on the patients, health insurance companies and the hospitals. Therefore, hospitals managers should design and implement interventions to reduce surgical site infections.
Maryam Tajvar, Mohammad Sarkout Ghosi, Elham Ehsani-Chimeh,
Volume 21, Issue 2 (9-2023)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Assessment of disease risk with the ultimatevaim of implementing preventive strategies in the workplace is a necessity. This study was conducted to assess the risk of COVID-19 in hospital occupational groups in Saghez city, Iran.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2021 among three hospital occupational groups (total sample size = 300) in Saghez city, Iran, including physicians and nurses, as well as laboratory, administrative, financial, radiology and general service personnel, using the COVID-19 rapid risk analysis technique. Data were collected using a valid questionnaire based on the Likert scale and analysed (to determine acceptable, tolerable and intolerable risks) using the descriptive and inferential methods, the software used being SPSS-26.
Results: As regards the probability variable, the highest probability of occurrence of COVID-19 was related to the general service and administrative-financial occupational groups with an average of 1.6 and 1.5, respectively. The level of attitude was generally good and excellent. The analysis of the severity of the outcome variable was at a critical level in the physicians group (42.5) and at a catastrophic level in the other groups. In total, all occupations were rated at an unacceptable risk level (H), the general service and administrative-financial occupational groups being at a higher risk than other groups. There were statistically significant differences between the types of occupation on the one hand and the variables studied, as well as the individual characteristics and COVID-19 morbidity on the other hand.
Conclusion: Considering the high risk of occurrence of COVID-19 among the hospital professionals it is essential to develop and implement plans aiming at preventing and reducing the disease risk in them.
Maryam Tajvar, Omolbanin Atashbahar, Parisa Pourfarokh, Ebrahim Jaafaripooyan, Haniye Sadat Sajadi,
Volume 22, Issue 1 (10-2024)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Considering the growing trend of cosmetic surgery it is essential to adapt a different approach to provide the relevant services in response to the community needs. In this study we aimed to assess the current state of cosmetic surgery services in Iran in terms of frequency distribution according to the type of surgery and other features.
Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive study using the information in the Statistics and Information Technology Management Center (SITMC) of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education. The data in the SITMC medical records of the information system of the reference hospitals for cosmetic surgery, including admission type, status at the time of discharge, average cost, average length of stay, type of center (ownership) and demographic characteristics of the patients undergoing cosmetic surgery were extracted between January 2017 and June 2021. Data analysis was done using Excel software and descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage and mean).
Results: During the study period a total of 62,387 surgeries had been performed for 56 cosmetic surgery codes. The majority of cosmetic surgery centers (79.7%) were governmental. The demands for cosmetic surgery by different groups were as follows: women 73.9%, Iranian nationals 97.7%, married individuals 40.6%, and the aged individuals 16-45 years 82.7%. Rhinoplasty accounted for approximately 60% of the cosmetic surgeries, while septorhinoplasty and lower eyelid blepharoplasty had the highest and lowest average costs and lengths of stay, respectively.
Conclusion: Considering the average cost of surgical operations, financing arrangements and the framework of providing the relevant services should be specified with more precision and transparency. In addition, prior to making decisions in this area policies should be checked in terms of efficiency, effectiveness and cultural compatibility.
