[Analysis of hospital efficiency determinants in Chile].

BACKGROUND

The knowledge of variables influencing hospital efficiency is of paramount importance to carry out initiatives of management improvement and optimization.

AIM

To explore on the hospital technical efficiency factors.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Data from 255,439 hospital discharges from 28 hospitals from May to October 2011 were analyzed. The efficiency index developed by Santelices et al was calculated. Proxy variables of hospital practices, human resource productivity, strategic performance, financing mechanisms, geographical territory and specialization, were considered. The analysis was carried out estimating econometric models.

RESULTS

The most significant variables to explain efficiency are the length of stay adjusted by complexity, the discharges per nurse and midwife and the performance of the Hospital Balancea Score Card.

CONCLUSIONS

The suggested analysis contributes to identify hospital efficiency causes. The results suggest ways to improve performance of hospitals.