Abstract

SANCHEZ DELGADO, Zoe; CHAVIANO MORENA, Magalys  and  GARCIA FARINAS, Anaí. Levels of efficiency of type I polyclinics in Matanzas in 2006. Rev. cub. salud pública [online]. 2008, vol.34, n.4, pp. 1-15. ISSN 0864-3466.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0864-34662008000400007.

Objectives: Nowadays, investments at the primary health care level have increased and thus it is more important than ever to determine the efficiency of health care facilities, to identify those facilities with the best health practice and look for potential areas of efficiency improvement. Methods: A retrospective descriptive research study was carried out in all the type I polyclinics located in Matanzas province during 2006. Five result and four resource indicators were considered. Data envelopment analysis under the model of scale result maximization and constant performances was used. Results: Six patterns of efficiency behaviour were identified. The relatively higher amount of available resources had a quite important effect in the inefficient facilities of the province; they must improve their results particularly in BAAR+ detection and in the level of satisfaction of the population. Conclusions: The province reached average efficiency values that can be improved. The potentialities of efficiency as an assessment tool were proved.

Keywords : Efficiency; data envelopment analysis; polyclinics.