Agility in Isfahan Hospitals, Iran*

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Mohammad Hossein Yarmohamadian 1
Raheleh Samooie 2
Rahim Khodayari Zarnagh 3
Ali Ayoobian 4
Hossein Bagherian Mahmoodabadi 5
1 Associate Professor, Educational Planning, Health Management and Economic Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
2 MSc, Psychology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
3 PhD Student, Health Policy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
4 MSc, Health Services Management, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
5 Lecturer, Medical Records, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
Abstract
Introduction: Agility means ability to respond and react quickly and successfully to
environmental changes. Agility is an important factor for hospital effectiveness. Agility in a
hospital indicates the hospital's responsiveness when faced with internal and external changes. If
hospitals are designed to be agile, they should have the ability to compete with other hospitals
and provide appropriate services to their patients. This study compared agility in public and
private hospitals in Isfahan, Iran in 2009.
Methods: This descriptive, analytical, cross-sectional study was conducted in 2009. The study
population included the executives of administrative and financial sectors, health sector, and
paraclinics, as well as supervisors in Khorshid, Chamran, Khanevadeh and Sina Hospitals. A total
number of 130 individuals (calculated according to Cochran formula) were selected from the four
mentioned hospitals. Data collection tool was the 42-item Likert-scale questionnaire of agility.
The maximum and minimum scores of the questionnaire were 168 and zero, respectively. The
questionnaire was valid and reliable based on the experts in the field and a Cronbach's alpha of
0.96, respectively. Data was analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistical methods in SPSS16 .
Results: Mean agility scores public and private hospitals were 103.7 and 113.9, respectively.
Although a significant difference was observed between mean agility scores of selected hospitals
in Isfahan (P < 0.0001), public and private hospitals were not significantly different in terms of
agility (P > 0.05).
Conclusion: Agility in both public and private hospitals was higher than moderate. In order to
improve agility in hospitals, using strategies and solutions such as flexible organizational
structure, outsourcing of supplies and services, professional development of staff and preparation
to face the environmental changes are required.

Keywords

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Health Information Management
Volume 8, Issue 8
Winter 2012
Pages 1122-1128