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Identifying the scope for savings at inpatient episode level: An illustration applying DEA to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Emmanuel Thanassoulis, Maria Silva and Mike Graveney

European Journal of Operational Research, 2016, vol. 255, issue 2, 570-582

Abstract: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterised by a largely irreversible obstruction of the airways, and is one of the leading causes of chronic morbidity and mortality worldwide. This paper illustrates the use of Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) to assess the potential for cost savings at COPD inpatient episode level. The analysis uses the length of stay of each episode as a surrogate for expenditure on that episode while allowing for the medical condition of the patient and the quality of care received. We find substantial possible reductions in length of stay which would translate to cost savings. The paper also explores differences both between hospitals and between care teams within hospitals so that cost efficient protocols of treatment can be identified and disseminated.

Keywords: Health care; COPD; Efficiency analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:ejores:v:255:y:2016:i:2:p:570-582

DOI: 10.1016/j.ejor.2016.05.028

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European Journal of Operational Research is currently edited by Roman Slowinski, Jesus Artalejo, Jean-Charles. Billaut, Robert Dyson and Lorenzo Peccati

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