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