Determining the relative efficiency of gynecological departments using DEA

Abstract

Data envelopment analysis (DEA) is used to determine the relative efficiency of the top-ranked gynecology departments in the United States as designated by the U.S. News & World Report ranking. DEA is a linear programming base procedure used to determine the relative efficiency of operating units that have similar characteristics. Efficiency scores are calculated by comparing two different input sets to the performance of each gynecological department. Ranking based on DEA more completely and accurately represents gynecological departments. Further, DEA makes it possible to fairly compare specific departments. The new ranking coupled with the efficiency score accrued by each hospital will motivate and guide hospital administrators to improve the performance of hospital gynecology departments by better utilizing expensive resources.

Citation

Levary, R.R. and Ip, C. (2009), "Determining the relative efficiency of gynecological departments using DEA", Lawrence, K.D. and Kleinman, G. (Ed.) Financial Modeling Applications and Data Envelopment Applications (Applications of Management Science, Vol. 13), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 261-273. https://doi.org/10.1108/S0276-8976(2009)0000013016