Health Science Monitor (Jul 2024)
The performance of a cardiovascular hospital in COVID-19 pandemic: a case study of a Middle East developing country
Abstract
Background & Aims: The performance of hospitals has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This study investigated the performance of a cardiovascular hospital using indicators such as admissions and revenue. Materials & Methods: The medical records of patients with selected cardiovascular diseases were studied in a teaching cardiovascular hospital in the capital city of West Azerbaijan in the second quarter of 2019 and 2020. Data were collected from the medical records, including length of stay, hospitalization type, sex, age, insurance, deaths, and readmissions. Bills were collected from the revenue department and the hospital information system. Two performances, two results, and two control indicators were used. Revenue, length of stay, and bed occupancy rate were calculated for both periods. Data were analyzed using SPSS (version 16) and the Mann-Whitney statistical test. Results: One thousand three hundred and forty-one cases were studied in two study periods, with 57% being hospitalized in 2019, showing a decline of 14% in 2020. A decrease was observed in the average length of stay and total revenue during the pandemic. The difference in the mean total revenue was significant for 2 years (P = 0.00). The percentage of readmissions decreased slightly, and deaths increased in 2020. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic undermined hospital performance. The analysis of the studied indicators showed that hospitalizations, bed occupancy rates, and total revenue followed a similar decreasing pattern in the selected hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic. The hospital should adopt appropriate strategies so that, in conditions identical to the COVID-19 pandemic, its performance is accompanied by the proper management of resources, efficiency, and minimal reduction in revenue.
