The number of active tests shows how many test each lab can perform
(it’s just a number and therefore, dimensionless). The available pace
for service shows the area of each lab (in units of square meters). The
cost of consumables shows the cost of purchasing lab items such as
gloves and syringes (in units of the Iranian currency, million Toomans).
The safety cost of sampling unit shows the safety costs for lab staff
such as vaccination against diseases like Hepatitis (in units of the
Iranian currency, million Toomans). The safety cost of test unit shows
safety costs of the test unit, such as acid-washing equipment, etc. (in
units of the Iranian currency, million Toomans). The number of kits
shows the number of used kits (dimensionless). The Staff wage shows
costs for personnel salaries (in units of the Iranian currency, million
Toomans). The number of patients shows the number of patients who visit
a laboratory. The number of samples shows the number of samples taken
and tested at each lab. The Correct number of tests shows the number of
tests that were conducted and processed on good samples with acceptable
results (dimensionless). The Average waiting time for sampling shows the
average time that patients have to wait for sampling (in units of
minutes). The Income from admission shows profit of the lab from
receiving patients (in units of the Iranian currency, million Toomans).
The average sample transfer time shows the average time to takes samples
from the sampling to the test unit (in units of minutes). The number of
false tests shows the number of invalid tests as a result of mistakes
and errors which lead to incorrect results and should be repeated
(dimensionless). The test response time shows the time taken for the
test (in units of minutes). The garbage weight shows lab wastes (in
units of kilograms). The number of responses of the prepared tests shows
the time to prepare the results of the test (in units of minutes). The
sum of the scores of the laboratory standards shows the sum of the marks
that make up a standard mark for the lab which include physical
standards (staff, equipment, and material standards), safety standards,
standards regarding procedures (pre-test, test, and post-test). It
should be noted that a maximum standard mark of 200 is achievable. The
Lab profit variable shows the net profit of each laboratory (in units of
Iranian currency, million Toomans).
Mean, standard deviation, minimum and maximum value of the selected
inputs, intermediates and outputs used for the DEA analysis are shown in
Table 6.
Table 6.The descriptive statistics of inputs, intermediates and outputs
for medical diagnostic laboratories Tehran