OBJECTIVES

: To determine the predictive factors of technical efficiency of OECD countries according to Health Care Quality Indicators (HCQI) and health status measures.

METHODS

: First, the technical efficiency of OECD countries was analyzed by using DEA and different model specifications from 1 to 13. Models were constructed using different combinations of HCQI as input variables and health status measures as output variables. Correlation analysis was then used to investigate similarities between different model specifications. Subsequently, Classification and Regression Tree (CART) algorithm was used to generate a decision tree to present predictors of technical efficiency with the use of a model that has a balanced number of efficient and inefficient groups. Thirty-four OECD countries were analyzed. Data was obtained from HCQI project statistics and OECD reports for the years between 2008 and 2011. The technical efficiency of OECD countries according to HCQIs (acute care, primary care, cancer care, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes) and health status measures were determined. Predictive factors of technical efficiency were identified.

RESULTS

: Different model specification results indicate that the first model, which includes HCQI, such as primary care, acute care, cancer care, and cardiovascular diseases, as input variables and life expectancy and maternal mortality as output variables have the highest technical efficiency score (79%) for OECD countries. The most influential variable that predicts the technical efficiency of OECD countries according to HCQI and health status measures is case fatality in adults aged 45 and over within 30 days after admission for acute myocardial infarction which is one of the acute care indicators and is related to cardiovascular diseases.

CONCLUSIONS

: This study highlights the need to improve diagnostic and treatment technologies of acute care to reduce hospital mortality following acute myocardial infarction to develop quality of health care and improve the health status of people in OECD countries.