Volume 26, Issue 3 (1-2024)
jha 2024, 26(3): 128-145 |
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Hosseini_Shokouh S, dopeykar N, Vahidifar S, Motaghed Z, Yousefi Y, Meskarpour_Amiri M. Efficiency in the utilization of diagnostic imaging equipment in hospitals and strategies for its enhancement: A case study in a specialized hospital in Tehran. jha 2024; 26 (3) :128-145
URL: http://jha.iums.ac.ir/article-1-4359-en.html
URL: http://jha.iums.ac.ir/article-1-4359-en.html
Sayyed_Morteza Hosseini_Shokouh1 
, Nooredin Dopeykar2 , Samaneh Vahidifar3 , Zahra Motaghed4 , Yaghoub Yousefi5 , Mohammad Meskarpour_Amiri 6
, Nooredin Dopeykar2 , Samaneh Vahidifar3 , Zahra Motaghed4 , Yaghoub Yousefi5 , Mohammad Meskarpour_Amiri 6
1- Associate Professor, Health Management Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran & Associate Professor, Faculty of Health, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran
2- MSc, Health Management Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran
3- MSc, Clinical Research Development Unit, Baqiyatallah Hospital, Tehran & MSc, Health Management Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran
4- MD, Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran
5- Msc, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran
6- Assistant Professor, Health Management Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran ,mailer.amiri@gmail.com
2- MSc, Health Management Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran
3- MSc, Clinical Research Development Unit, Baqiyatallah Hospital, Tehran & MSc, Health Management Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran
4- MD, Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran
5- Msc, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran
6- Assistant Professor, Health Management Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran ,
Abstract: (375 Views)
Introduction: Enhancing the efficiency of medical equipment utilization can result not only in reduced treatment costs but also in shorter waiting times and increased patient satisfaction. This study aimed to estimate the utilization coefficient of diagnostic imaging equipment and provide solutions for its improvement.
Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted using mixed methods approach in two quantitative and qualitative stages. In the first stage, the utilization of three main imaging-diagnostic equipment of a specialized hospital (encompassing three ultrasound machines, two MRI devices, and one CT angiography machine) was investigated from March 2018 to March 2019. The study employed two indices, the calendar utilization coefficient, and the service provision utilization coefficient to gauge the efficiency of equipment utilization. In the second stage, the main causes of reduced equipment utilization and improvement solutions were determined through focused group discussions with the participation of 15 experts using the content analysis method.
Results: Among the assessed equipment, the lowest utilization coefficient was related to the CT angiography at 25% and the intervention ultrasound machine at 33%, respectively. The utilization coefficient for the ultrasound machine in the outpatient and the inpatient departments was 41% and 81%, respectively, and for the MRI machine in the outpatient and the inpatient departments was 84% and 46%, respectively. Common factors contributing to reduced utilization of diagnostic imaging equipment within the hospital comprised insufficient human resources, delays in patient transfers from inpatient departments, inadequate workspace in diagnostic imaging units, and suboptimal preventive maintenance systems.
Conclusion: Maximizing the capacity of diagnostic imaging equipment in the hospital necessitates augmenting and motivating human resources, streamlining workflow and patient transfer across departments, restructuring the workspace within diagnostic imaging units, and making strategic investments in equipment maintenance systems.
Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted using mixed methods approach in two quantitative and qualitative stages. In the first stage, the utilization of three main imaging-diagnostic equipment of a specialized hospital (encompassing three ultrasound machines, two MRI devices, and one CT angiography machine) was investigated from March 2018 to March 2019. The study employed two indices, the calendar utilization coefficient, and the service provision utilization coefficient to gauge the efficiency of equipment utilization. In the second stage, the main causes of reduced equipment utilization and improvement solutions were determined through focused group discussions with the participation of 15 experts using the content analysis method.
Results: Among the assessed equipment, the lowest utilization coefficient was related to the CT angiography at 25% and the intervention ultrasound machine at 33%, respectively. The utilization coefficient for the ultrasound machine in the outpatient and the inpatient departments was 41% and 81%, respectively, and for the MRI machine in the outpatient and the inpatient departments was 84% and 46%, respectively. Common factors contributing to reduced utilization of diagnostic imaging equipment within the hospital comprised insufficient human resources, delays in patient transfers from inpatient departments, inadequate workspace in diagnostic imaging units, and suboptimal preventive maintenance systems.
Conclusion: Maximizing the capacity of diagnostic imaging equipment in the hospital necessitates augmenting and motivating human resources, streamlining workflow and patient transfer across departments, restructuring the workspace within diagnostic imaging units, and making strategic investments in equipment maintenance systems.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Health Services Management
Received: 2023/06/27 | Accepted: 2023/09/20 | Published: 2024/08/3
Received: 2023/06/27 | Accepted: 2023/09/20 | Published: 2024/08/3
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