Efficiency Analysis of Operating Rooms via Data Envelopment Analysis: A Case Study of Iran

Dadak, Yaser; Mahmoodlou, Rahim; Yusefzadeh, Hasan

doi:https://doi.org/10.61186/hsm.4.4.276

Volume 4, Issue 4 (November 2025) Health Science Monitor 2025, 4(4): 276-284 | Back to browse issues page

‎ https://doi.org/10.61186/hsm.4.4.276

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Dadak Y, Mahmoodlou R, Yusefzadeh H. Efficiency Analysis of Operating Rooms via Data Envelopment Analysis: A Case Study of Iran. Health Science Monitor 2025; 4 (4) :276-284
URL: http://hsm.umsu.ac.ir/article-1-258-en.html

Efficiency Analysis of Operating Rooms via Data Envelopment Analysis: A Case Study of Iran

Yaser Dadak

, Rahim Mahmoodlou

, Hasan Yusefzadeh ^*

Department of Health Economics and Management, School of Public Health, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran

Abstract: (48 Views)

Background Operating rooms play a crucial role in hospitals, directly and indirectly affecting the performance of other departments. They account for more than 33% of the total costs and 60-70% of the total revenue of hospitals. Therefore, improving the efficiency of operating rooms can significantly enhance the utilization of hospital resources. This study aims to investigate the efficiency of operating rooms in hospitals affiliated with the University of Medical Sciences, as well as in non-university public and private hospitals in West Azerbaijan province, to help future decisions in operating room management.
Methods This descriptive-analytical applied study was conducted as a cross-sectional evaluation of operating rooms in all hospitals in West Azerbaijan province. Inputs and outputs of operating rooms were determined by reviewing various articles and interviewing relevant experts. Data were collected using forms and checklists designed by the researchers. The efficiency of operating rooms was then calculated using Data Envelopment Analysis with variable returns to scale (input-oriented) and Deap2.1 software, applying the assumption of variable returns to scale and an input-oriented approach.
Results The average technical, managerial, and scale efficiency of operating rooms in hospitals in West Azerbaijan province were 0.929, 0.959, and 0.969, respectively. Inefficient hospitals had excess inputs, indicating that the initial and target values of inputs for operating rooms with technical efficiency less than one were different. Scale efficiency (0.969) contributed more to the overall efficiency of operating rooms compared to managerial efficiency (0.959). That is, larger hospitals generally operated closer to optimal scale.
Conclusion Enhancing scale efficiency, for example, through the optimal use of existing capacity, should be prioritized over managerial efficiency. DEA results can guide staffing levels, operating room scheduling, and accreditation standards to reduce waste and improve service delivery.

Keywords: Data envelopment analysis, Efficiency, Hospitals, Iran, Operating rooms

Full-Text [PDF 329 kb] (32 Downloads)

Type of Study: Research Article | Subject: Health Policy, Management, and Economics
Received: 2025/07/23 | Accepted: 2025/09/24 | Published: 2025/11/19

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