Volume 8, Issue 4 (Winter 2026)
Iran J Health Insur 2026, 8(4): 332-345 |
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Research code: 123722460893232280163136902
Ethics code: IR.IAU.SRB.REC.1404.109
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Karamiankhah P, Riahi L, Tabibi S J. The Effect of Cost Management Interventions on Hospital Costs in the Dimensions of Human Resources, Hoteling, and Consumable Office Supplies. Iran J Health Insur 2026; 8 (4) :332-345
URL: http://journal.ihio.gov.ir/article-1-400-en.html
URL: http://journal.ihio.gov.ir/article-1-400-en.html
1- Faculty of Medical Science and Technology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
2- Department of Health Services Management, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran ,L.riahi@iau.ac.ir
3- Department of Health Services Management, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
2- Department of Health Services Management, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran ,
3- Department of Health Services Management, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract: (71 Views)
Introduction: Given the increasing health costs and the necessity of cost management, this study evaluates the effect of management intervention on the costs of three main areas: human resources, hoteling, and administrative consumables. A descriptive before-after design was used to examine cost changes.
Methods: Two six-month periods (before: first half of 2018; after: first half of 2019), including 43 inpatient units and financial data extracted from the hospital accounting system. Interventions were divided into three broad categories: (1) administrative savings, (2) reduction of hoteling and consumables costs, (3) reforms in human resources. Analyses were conducted descriptively and paired t-tests were used for pre-post comparisons. No control group was used. The reliability of data from financial reports and its validity were strengthened with objective data.
Results: The mean total hospital costs in the three domains before the intervention were 10,077,578,333.93 Rials and after the intervention were 9,498,523,261.39 Rials (reduction ≈ 579,055,072.54 Rials; P<0.001). The before-after correlation for the three domains was r= 0.996, 0.996 and 0.914 (P<0.001), respectively, and the results of the paired t-test showed that the mean differences in each domain decreased significantly (P<0.001 to P<0.003). Due to the lack of control variables, causal inference is limited.
Conclusion: Cost management interventions, despite the design without control variables, have led to a reduction in total hospital costs in the three domains. However, for future causal inference, it is recommended to use quasi-experimental designs (ITS/DiD) and include service quality indicators in future studies to accurately assess the effects of interventions.
Methods: Two six-month periods (before: first half of 2018; after: first half of 2019), including 43 inpatient units and financial data extracted from the hospital accounting system. Interventions were divided into three broad categories: (1) administrative savings, (2) reduction of hoteling and consumables costs, (3) reforms in human resources. Analyses were conducted descriptively and paired t-tests were used for pre-post comparisons. No control group was used. The reliability of data from financial reports and its validity were strengthened with objective data.
Results: The mean total hospital costs in the three domains before the intervention were 10,077,578,333.93 Rials and after the intervention were 9,498,523,261.39 Rials (reduction ≈ 579,055,072.54 Rials; P<0.001). The before-after correlation for the three domains was r= 0.996, 0.996 and 0.914 (P<0.001), respectively, and the results of the paired t-test showed that the mean differences in each domain decreased significantly (P<0.001 to P<0.003). Due to the lack of control variables, causal inference is limited.
Conclusion: Cost management interventions, despite the design without control variables, have led to a reduction in total hospital costs in the three domains. However, for future causal inference, it is recommended to use quasi-experimental designs (ITS/DiD) and include service quality indicators in future studies to accurately assess the effects of interventions.
Keywords: Hospital Management, Hospital Costs, Personnel Management, Hospital Economics, Health Care Costs
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2025/11/29 | Revised: 2026/05/17 | Accepted: 2026/02/18 | ePublished: 2026/02/28
Received: 2025/11/29 | Revised: 2026/05/17 | Accepted: 2026/02/18 | ePublished: 2026/02/28
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