Rouhollah Ghaedamini Asadabadi; Ahmad Amerieon; Shahram Tofighi; Fatemeh Azizian; Azam Fayazi
Volume 9, Issue 4 , September and October 2012, , Pages 479-489
Abstract
Introduction: One of the types of hospital management information systems is decision supportinformation system (DSIS). This system uses decision-making models and databases forpreparing specific information to support their semi-structured or unstructured decisions. Thepresent study aimed to design ...
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Introduction: One of the types of hospital management information systems is decision supportinformation system (DSIS). This system uses decision-making models and databases forpreparing specific information to support their semi-structured or unstructured decisions. Thepresent study aimed to design a decision DSIS model for Board of Trustees of Ayatollah KashaniHospital, Shahrekord, Iran.Methods: This exploratory and modeling study was performed in 2010 and conducted in Board ofTrustees Ayatollah Kashani Hospital in Shahrekord. The study population consisted of 30 Board ofDirectors and hospital administrators. Data collection was performed through a researcher-made42-item questionnaire with approved validity and reliability (85%) by the expert professors used forinterviewing and observation. The data were analyzed using principles of systems analysis andmanagement and, mathematical analysis and also operations research technique.Results: Complete information about identifying the organizational environment, informationarchitecture diagrams, the decision-making pattern of Board of Directors and the hospitalauthorities, the mathematical models and other decision-making models were achieved and theDSIS model was designed for Board of Trustees of Ayatollah Kashani Hospital, Shahrekord, Iran.Conclusion: Hospital information architecture diagram did not have much difference comparedwith the other conducted studies; however, using DSIS model and its output through theoperations research techniques, mathematical patterns and other appropriate patterns wouldresulted in decisions that the hospital’s board might make and support them.
Soodabeh Vatankhah; Mohammadreza Maleki; Shahram Tofighi; Omid Barati; Sima Rafiei
Volume 9, Issue 3 , May and June 2012
Abstract
Public hospitals can privatize management activities by contracting with a private organization or person to perform the work. Management contract is a method which uses private sector for major government projects like hospitals. This review study evaluated management contract conditions in selected ...
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Public hospitals can privatize management activities by contracting with a private organization or person to perform the work. Management contract is a method which uses private sector for major government projects like hospitals. This review study evaluated management contract conditions in selected countries. We focused on services under contract, different forms of management contract, methods for monitoring contracts, effects of management contract on factors under study, and the payment system in management contract. Management contract is the most common type of privatizing management. In this method, the responsibility and control of a healthcare organization is granted to a person or a private organization. Contracting is used strategically to introduce market mechanisms while ensuring that essential public services are provided. Therefore, the government needs to recognize contracting as a powerful process, not just a cluster of independent transactions. This means that contracting initiatives must be regulated and monitored at the highest level of government by experienced and astute policy makers, economists and operational personnel. Keywords: Outsourcing; Hospitals, Public; Hospitals, Private; Management Contract.
Mohammad Esmaeil Motlagh; Seiyed Davoud Nasrollahpour Shirvani; Mohammad Reza Maleki; Shahram Tofighi; Mohammad Javad Kabir; Nahid Jafari
Volume 9, Issue 2 , May and June 2012
Abstract
Introduction: In the current world of business, benefiting from information technology is considered as one of the main factors to develop and improve the performance of organizations. This study was performed to identify access to infrastructures of information technology among the managers and executive ...
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Introduction: In the current world of business, benefiting from information technology is considered as one of the main factors to develop and improve the performance of organizations. This study was performed to identify access to infrastructures of information technology among the managers and executive experts of health departments in Iranian universities of medical sciences. It also tried to explore the related individual and organizational factors.Methods: This retrospective study was conducted in 2010. Using stratified systematic random sampling, 13 Iranian universities of medical sciences were selected. All available managers and executives in the vice-chancellery of health of the selected universities were interviewed and inquired using census method. A valid and reliable questionnaire was filled out to assess individual and organizational variables. The collected data was analyzed by chi-square, Mann-Whitney, Kruskal Wallis, and Fisher's exact tests and Spearman's correlation coefficient.Results: Among the 293 studied managers and executives, 288 people (98.3%) had computers in their office and 281 people (97%) had access to the Internet. While 30% of the participants were completely satisfied with the Internet speed, 46% were moderately satisfied. The automation system was available for 205 subjects (70%). Having access to the Internet was significantly related with the availability of the automation system (P ≤ 0.045). Satisfaction with the Internet speed had significant relationships with university rankings (P ≤ 0.013), having access to the automation system (P < 0.001), and age (P ≤ 0.015; r = -0.143). Moreover, 220 persons (75%) had active email accounts.Conclusion: We found a good quantity of having access to information technology. Therefore, designing and implementing interventional programs to promote the quality of the provided services seem to be necessary.Keywords: Information Technology; Computers; Internet; Universities.
Seyyed Jamaladdin Tabibi; Mohammad Reza Maleki; Jahanara Mamikhani
Volume 8, Issue 8 , January 2012, , Pages 1156-1168
Abstract
Introduction: In the new paradigm of adm inistrative and organizational relations in m edical schools, there are four m ain missions that m ight be defined and com pensated, integrated and aligned with university's mission. University objectives and missions should be rationed am ong teaching ...
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Introduction: In the new paradigm of adm inistrative and organizational relations in m edical schools, there are four m ain missions that m ight be defined and com pensated, integrated and aligned with university's mission. University objectives and missions should be rationed am ong teaching departments and faculty members. Each individual and department should be rewarded according to how much they share in m eeting the objectives. This article aimed to figure out the information architecture of the information system suitable for academic behavior management in School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Tehran, Iran. Methods: This comparative, information modeling study used business system programming (BSP) to design information architecture. The implementation models in a variety of universities were studied in order to identify missions, obje ctives and values of m ission-based management (MBM) system. The objectives of IUMS for implementing the MBM from the viewpoints of the directing board of the School of Medicine and the IUMS were identified and prioritized using the nominal group technique (NGT) and interpretive structural modeling (ISM). These objectives were the inputs of the first phase of BSP. Other data and information necessary for other phases were gathered via interviews with staff and authorities of related departments, and observing the documents and processes. The final output of the system was the information architecture. Results: Nine information subsystems were detect ed in the information arch itecture. They included managing missions and objectives, planni ng educational activities, planning research activities, planning adm inistrative and social activities , planning health ca re activities, empowering the academic staff and heads of teach ing departments, performance evaluation and review and im provement, financial m anagement and m ission-based budgeting, and accounting and supplying the teaching department. Conclusion: Successful implementation of MBM depends on an integ rated information system supporting all subsystem s. This research revealed some subsystems which did not existed in current systems
Sogand Tourani; Sayed Jamaledin Tabibi; Shahram Tofighi; Nasrin Shaarbafchi zadeh
Volume 8, Issue 4 , September and October 2011
Abstract
Introduction: Equitable access to a basic set of health services at minimum quality and affordable price is the right of every citizen and in all countries the governments have the duty to deliver these services to the population. International trade in health services influences the balance ...
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Introduction: Equitable access to a basic set of health services at minimum quality and affordable price is the right of every citizen and in all countries the governments have the duty to deliver these services to the population. International trade in health services influences the balance between equitable distribution of these services, creating incentives to improve the efficiency of health systems, and managing the limited financial resourcesof the governments. It also creates opportunities and challenges for health systems and communities. This paper reviewed different modes of trade in health services and investigated the opportunities and challenges resulted from this kind of trade in the selected countries of ASEAN region to make Iranian health policy makers and operators aware of trade in health sector.Methods: This paper was resulted from a section of an applied descriptive-comparative study about international trade in health services conducted during 2008-2010. Data was collected using digital and printed resources. The research population included 3 countries of ASEAN region, namely Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand. The extracted information was used to generally picture the status of international trade in health services in the region and to compare the related opportunities and challenges.Results: International trade in health services in the studied countries involved 4 modes including supply as cross-border supply of the services, consumption abroad (health tourism), commercial presence (foreign direct investment), and temporary immigration of persons (health professionals). The trade provides opportunities for earning revenues and promoting the quality of available health services, but it also raises challenges in competing with other countries (of ASEAN) and in accessibility and affordability of health services for the country population.Conclusion: The most important challenges the ASEAN countries face in developing trade in health services include accelerating credit provision for service providers, portability of health insurance, developing and protecting the private sector, cooperation between the public and private sectors, and expanding the trade based on relative strengths of each country in order to improve the health sector.Keywords: International Trade; Health Services; Medical Tourism.
Amir Ashkan Nasiripour; Anis Abbasi; Shahram Tofighi; Naser Behnampour; Mahmoud Reza Gohari
Volume 8, Issue 2 , May and June 2011
Abstract
Introduction: To promote the processes of providing medical services, patient's rights and establishing uniformity in treatment policy, the evaluation quality indexes were communicated to all general hospitals in 2002. This study evaluates the implementation of managed care guideline before their communication ...
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Introduction: To promote the processes of providing medical services, patient's rights and establishing uniformity in treatment policy, the evaluation quality indexes were communicated to all general hospitals in 2002. This study evaluates the implementation of managed care guideline before their communication as evaluation quality indexes of hospitals and their relationship with communication and quality degree of conducted services. Methods: This study was an analytical study based on information in the records of patients, before and after the communication of managed care guideline. The statistical population including the records of patients who underwent surgery or had delivered in the pilot hospitals affiliated to Golestan University of Medical Sciences in 2002 and 2007, Iran. The sample included 792 cases which were selected by stratified method. Data collected using three types of checklists and a standard information form communicated by the Ministry of Health. Obtained data analyzed by SPSS16 software and χ2 test.Results: The preoperative assessment guideline was performed in 5.1% and 32.1% of evaluated documents in 2002 and 2007, respectively (P < 0.001). The prophylactic antibiotic guideline was performed in 31.6% and 44.9% of documents in 2002 and 2007, respectively (P < 0.001). The pain relief guideline was fully performed in 77.8% and 85.1% of documents in 2002 and 2007, respectively (P = 0.001). Cesarean section ratio to total deliveries in investigated hospitals were 49% in 2002 and decreased significantly to 42% in 2007 (P < 0.001). Most cesarean indication belongs to repeated cesarean section indication. Generally, in all investigated indexes there were positive and significant relation between establishing of Evaluation quality indexes and services quality.Conclusion: Implementation of managed care guideline led to improvement of quality in medical services. Establishing of guarantees and continuous rechecking regarding the quality assessment communications, could improve the quality of services in the future.Key words: Indicators; Quality of Healthcare; Evaluation; Hospitals.
Reza Safdary; Shahram Tofighi; Marjan Ghazisaeedi; Azadeh Goodini
Volume 8, Issue 2 , May and June 2011
Abstract
With increasing technology in providing health care services and specialization, health care organization requires application of costing methods for calculating income and expenses to improve the health care services and compensate the costs. For this purpose, most hospitals in the developed countries, ...
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With increasing technology in providing health care services and specialization, health care organization requires application of costing methods for calculating income and expenses to improve the health care services and compensate the costs. For this purpose, most hospitals in the developed countries, estimated system costs based on affiliated diagnostic related groups. According to this new method, hospitals were calculated costs and cost of services in return for services performed for the patient. In this review article, the data has been collected using print and electronic documents related to the topic. Considering that the diagnostic related groups known as disease classification system to facilitate medical reimbursement, so, hospitals must calculate their costs based on this method. In this article, we try to select the most appropriate method to make the necessary actions in the country with the matching process performed in this field and use the pre-eminent world experiences.Keywords: Diagnosis- Related Groups; Costs and Cost Analysis; Hospitals.
Feisolah Akbari; Sayed Mostafa Hosseini; Abolghasem Pourreza; Shahram Tofighi; Samaneh Heidari
Volume 7, Issue 4 , December 2010
Abstract
Introduction: Hospital has a complex and special structure and the important question that hospital management facing with is how technology can change structure. In the near future, no factor like IT is able to change the structure of organization. This research is a way to know the effect of IT on ...
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Introduction: Hospital has a complex and special structure and the important question that hospital management facing with is how technology can change structure. In the near future, no factor like IT is able to change the structure of organization. This research is a way to know the effect of IT on triple dimensions of organization structure includes complexity, formalization, and centralization.Methods: This cross- sectional analytical-descriptive research includes all of the people in hospitals that have management job and IT expertise. We use simple random sampling and we select finally ten hospitals. All data are collected by valid questionnaire. We analyze data with Normal distribution, Pearson correlation, and linear and multi regression testes.Results: According to the findings, there is significant relationship between generality IT with centralization (p=0.01) and between that with formalization (p=0.06). Study relationship between the five dimensions of IT (including network, hardware, software, staff and utilization) and triple dimensions of organization structure indicating that with the exception of network, rest of them have significant relationship with centralization and there is significant relationship between network and utilization with formalization.Conclusion: The influence of IT was not able to make fundamental change in structure of this organization.Keywords: Information Technology; Organization and Administration; Hospital Administration.
Sima Ajami; Shahram Tofighi; Nahid Tavakoli; Afsaneh Ebadsichani
Volume 7, Issue 1 , March 2010
Abstract
Introduction: Medical Records Department (MRD) is an important source for evaluating and planning of care services. The main goal of this research was performance evaluation of medical records department with Balanced Scorecard (BSC) approach in a hospital of Isfahan, Iran. Methods: This research was ...
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Introduction: Medical Records Department (MRD) is an important source for evaluating and planning of care services. The main goal of this research was performance evaluation of medical records department with Balanced Scorecard (BSC) approach in a hospital of Isfahan, Iran. Methods: This research was a descriptive, cross sectional in which data were collected by questionnaires, observation and forms. The population was medical records department of a hospital in Isfahan, Iran. To analyze data first of all objectives of medical records department according to mission and perspectives was setting. Then objectives were measured. Subsequently, findings from the performance will compare with expected score. If necessary, reform for the programs, activities, and plans in order to achieve the final target will be done. Results: The medical records department of this hospital was successful in providence of customer suggestion value (satisfaction). In customer perspective was customer satisfaction of admission 82%, statistics satisfaction 83%. Conclusion: Researcher proposes that it had better improve quality and period length of services, for achiving the mission of medical records department.Keywords: Performance Assessment; Medical Records Department Hospital; Hospitals.
Amirashkan Nasiripour; Shahram Tofighi; Roghiye Javanmardi
Volume 5, Issue 2 , September 2008
Abstract
Introduction: Decision making is a highly important task at the top of organizations hierarchy. So, it is essential to implement an information system such as decision making support. The main goal of the present study was to evaluate the feasibility of decision support system (DSS) implementation in ...
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Introduction: Decision making is a highly important task at the top of organizations hierarchy. So, it is essential to implement an information system such as decision making support. The main goal of the present study was to evaluate the feasibility of decision support system (DSS) implementation in health deputy of Iranian social security organization (ISSO). Methods: In this cross sectional study, the main instrument for data gathering was a questionnaire with 35 questions which evaluates the feasibility of DSS implementation from operational administrative, human resource and economic dimensions. A check list was also used which consists of 42 questions. The questionnaires were distributed within 27 managers and staffs in health deputy of social security organization and 24 were gathered. The data was analyzed using the SPSS software. Results: The feasibility of DSS implementation from operational administrative aspect takes the mean score 3.65 over 5, from a human resource perspective takes the score 3.10 over 5 and from an economic dimension takes the score 2.92 out of 5. The feasibility of DSS implementation from technical perspective takes the general score 37 over 42. Conclusion: Considering to current software and hardwires and also enough financial resources for implementation of Decision Support System, it is recommended that training courses about concepts and applications of DSS should be introduced to decrease users resistance and increase management support. Keywords: Decision Making; Decision Making Organizational; Organizations; Information Systems
Mohammadhossein Yarmohammadian; Shahram Tofighi; Sekineh Saghaiannejad Esfahani; Tahereh Naseribooriabadi
Volume 4, Issue 1 , March 2007
Abstract
Introduction: Risk management nowadays is one of the main concerns of all professions in order to protect themselves as well as keeping a competitive edge in the market. Analyzing risks and their consequences (FMEA) is one of the techniques of risk assessment which has been used in this research to define ...
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Introduction: Risk management nowadays is one of the main concerns of all professions in order to protect themselves as well as keeping a competitive edge in the market. Analyzing risks and their consequences (FMEA) is one of the techniques of risk assessment which has been used in this research to define and assess risks and prevention measures for the risk. Methods: In this descriptive, cross sectional study, medical record department of Al-Zahra hospital was studied. The researcher did observe work processes and interviewed with hospital staff during 1385-86 and then prepared a diagrammatic presentation of those processes. All processes were reviewed in detail and possible risks and consequences, severity, accordance, discovery and risk priority was defined through focus groups. FEMA was used in this research. FEMA was considered reliable due to its use by researchers in other countries and its validity is defined through expert opinion. Experts in medical record were consulted and suggested actions were discussed in a focus group and prioritized by department manager according to significance and implacability. Ranking was assessed according to the criteria of decision table in this research. Results: 24 out of 56 possible failures were related to admission office with the highest score related to “inability of admission personnel in re-reading admission order”. Conclusion: Techniques such as FEMA with emphasis on group work and prevention, enhance staff precision, and attention to their possible professional weaknesses as well as taking actions to prevent them. Key words: Risk Factors; Risk Management; Meta Analysis; Task Performance and Analysis; Hospitals; Medical Records
