# The efficiency of clinical laboratories: the case of Kerman province

## TL;DR

This study evaluates the efficiency of clinical laboratories in Kerman province, Iran, using data from 2021 to identify areas for improvement.

## Contribution

The study provides a novel analysis of laboratory efficiency in Kerman province using data envelopment analysis.

## Key findings

- Ravar and Orzueeyeh cities' laboratories showed the highest efficiency with a score of 1.
- Kuhbanan and Rabor cities' laboratories had the lowest efficiency scores of 0.859 and 0.899.
- The average scale efficiency across Kerman province laboratories was 0.842.

## Abstract

Medical diagnostic laboratories are an essential work environment that plays an important role in diagnosing, treating, and being sensitive to diseases. One way to evaluate laboratories’ performance is to calculate their efficiency. This study investigates the efficiency of laboratories that are related to health centers in the south of Iran.

This study was conducted in 2021. The input numbers include: the number of technical personnel and the number of cell counters, and the output data includes: the scores obtained from the level 2 health laboratory evaluation list. And efficiency was calculated with DEAP software. The analysis is accomplished by the assumption of input-oriented.

The efficiency of laboratories of Orzueeyeh and Ravar Cities had the highest efficiency with the assumption of variable returns to scale efficiency 1, and the model of all laboratories is the laboratory of Ravar City. The laboratories of Kuhbanan and Rabor cities had the lowest efficiency with the assumption of variable returns to scale efficiency of 0.859 and 0.899, respectively. The average scale efficiency, Variable returns to scale, and constant returns to scale for laboratories in the cities of Kerman province are 0.842, 0.943, and 0.895, respectively.

To increase the efficiency of laboratories, significant resources and funds should be used, as well as few studies have been done on the efficiency of laboratories, which requires more attention.