Harrison Jeffrey P, Ogniewski Richard J
University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA.
Mil Med. 2005 Jul;170(7):607-11. doi: 10.7205/milmed.170.7.607.
This study evaluates the efficiency of Veterans Health Administration (VHA) hospitals using a variable-returns to scale, input-oriented, data envelopment analysis method. Hospital executives, health care policymakers, taxpayers, and ultimately the veteran patient population benefit from studies that look to improve the efficiency of the VHA. Data for 131 VHA hospitals in 1998 and 121 in 2001 were analyzed by using data envelopment analysis to measure hospital efficiency. The results indicated that efficiency in VHA hospitals improved from 85% in 1998 to 86% in 2001. Although this level of efficiency is commendable, the study documents potential savings through more efficient use of resources. From a management perspective, this study shows opportunities for improved management and the realignment of resources to better meet demand. From a policy perspective, the study highlights the political problems associated with improving efficiency and providing access to critical health care services.
本研究采用规模报酬可变、投入导向型数据包络分析方法评估退伍军人健康管理局（VHA）医院的效率。医院管理人员、医疗保健政策制定者、纳税人以及最终的退伍军人患者群体都能从旨在提高VHA效率的研究中受益。通过使用数据包络分析来衡量医院效率，对1998年131家VHA医院和2001年121家医院的数据进行了分析。结果表明，VHA医院的效率从1998年的85%提高到了2001年的86%。尽管这一效率水平值得称赞，但该研究记录了通过更有效地利用资源可能实现的节约。从管理角度来看，本研究显示了改善管理以及重新调整资源以更好地满足需求的机会。从政策角度来看，该研究突出了与提高效率和提供关键医疗保健服务可及性相关的政治问题。
