Stress test of hospitals in Bulgaria - proposed methodology

Stress tests of financial institutions are becoming more common in the midst of a global recession and unpredictable future economic growth. We believe that apart from banks, stress tests can be conducted on hospitals as well and will have their merit. The proposed methodology for risk assessment in hospitals is only one of many possible solutions and has already been tested on the field. We demonstrate the results from such testing. Consequently, we propose the introduction of routine stress testing in the hospital care sector.stress test, risk assessment, hospitals, Bulgaria

Possible approaches to benchmarking voluntary health insurance funds in Bulgaria

Following the adoption of the Health Insurance Law in Bulgaria (1999), which provided the legal framework for the development of the voluntary health insurance, several health insurance funds had been established. Bulgaria had two licensed voluntary health insurance funds in 2001; in 2003 their number grew to six; and in 2009 this number stands over twenty. Despite the increased number of funds in recent years, their share of healthcare spending stayed at 1-1.5%, which is below European average. To this date, there are no serious and profound studies in the field among the scientific community in Bulgaria. The economic data published by the Commission of Financial Surveillance (CFS), conforms to EC regulations, but do not allow non-specialists to assess realistically voluntary health insurance funds (VHIF). This article introduces a methodology for comparing VHIF and establishment of a complex index (Benchmark Index - BI) based on 5 groups of indicators, related to several available variables. This index is intended as a tool for analyzing the voluntary health insurance sector and managing resources through a set of analytic indicators and variables. It can be used to create a certain type of ranking of VHIF.voluntary health insurance, market, comparing methods, benchmark index

Health policy in the field of prevention and the promotion of the diseases in Bulgaria - evaluation of the effectiveness

Prevention of disease is one of the main challenges to public health and the Bulgarian society in recent years. More and more are data that prove, that the main risk factors for public health are associated with harmful effects of the various components of the environment - physical and socio-economic, concern behavior and' s distorting style and way of life. Experts, dealing with the problems of public health, should offer the public a new look to health of the population to rational use of limited resources in the health care system and achieve a greater degree of conservation of life and improve its quality. These approaches may not be provided by the traditional medical (clinical) interventions, due to their limited (an individual) range. Development of practical approaches and methods of intervention, related to the prevention of disease, based on the concept of action on the basis of the study of preventable events through study of the risk and risk approach

Evidence Based Policy - Practical Approaches. The Bulgarian National Health Strategy 2007-2012

In recent years we have seen the successful implementation of new methods in formulating health policy, based on sound research data – the so called evidence based policy. This new approach to health policy helps experts formulate decisions on the basis of good information concerning programs and projects, through presenting supporting evidence from research, which in turn becomes the core for political development and implementation. We decided to analyze the project for a National health strategy 2007-2012 of Bulgaria and see how well it corresponds to the principles of evidence based policy. Critical evaluation of the last draft of the National health strategy 2007-2012 reveals a number of weaknesses due to the documents’ inconformity with the basic principles of evidence based policy making. We conclude with a discussion on possible implications for Bulgaria’s health policy

Technical efficiency of hospital psychiatric care in Bulgaria – assessment using Data Envelopment Analysis

The present article deals with the theme of efficiency in healthcare and especially technical efficiency in psyaciatric hospital care. We used the method of data envelopment analysis (DEA), which finds increasing application in many spheres of public life, including healthcare. We subdivided the treatment facilities in the current study in three groups and estimated technical efficiency for each group. We present a possible assesment method, which provides an opportunity for improving efficiency in the sector

Stress test of hospitals in Bulgaria - proposed methodology

Stress tests of financial institutions are becoming more common in the midst of a global recession and unpredictable future economic growth. We believe that apart from banks, stress tests can be conducted on hospitals as well and will have their merit. The proposed methodology for risk assessment in hospitals is only one of many possible solutions and has already been tested on the field. We demonstrate the results from such testing. Consequently, we propose the introduction of routine stress testing in the hospital care sector

Evidence Based Policy - Practical Approaches. The Bulgarian National Health Strategy 2007-2012

In recent years we have seen the successful implementation of new methods in formulating health policy, based on sound research data – the so called evidence based policy. This new approach to health policy helps experts formulate decisions on the basis of good information concerning programs and projects, through presenting supporting evidence from research, which in turn becomes the core for political development and implementation. We decided to analyze the project for a National health strategy 2007-2012 of Bulgaria and see how well it corresponds to the principles of evidence based policy. Critical evaluation of the last draft of the National health strategy 2007-2012 reveals a number of weaknesses due to the documents’ inconformity with the basic principles of evidence based policy making. We conclude with a discussion on possible implications for Bulgaria’s health policy

The role of professional organizations in healthcare as public law corporations: self-regulation, rights and responsibilities

As of the beginning of 2021, for twenty-three of the professions in Bulgaria, eleven professional (class) organizations - corporations under public law are regulated, and have received specific recognition from the state and are charged with functions to maintain high level in the relevant professional field. Out of all twenty-three occupations, fourteen occupations (over 60%) are in the healthcare field. This emphasizes their social importance for the life and health of people, as well as the vocation of their related organizations to maintain a high level of public trust in the quality of the health services provided

Possible approaches to benchmarking voluntary health insurance funds in Bulgaria

Following the adoption of the Health Insurance Law in Bulgaria (1999), which provided the legal framework for the development of the voluntary health insurance, several health insurance funds had been established. Bulgaria had two licensed voluntary health insurance funds in 2001; in 2003 their number grew to six; and in 2009 this number stands over twenty. Despite the increased number of funds in recent years, their share of healthcare spending stayed at 1-1.5%, which is below European average. To this date, there are no serious and profound studies in the field among the scientific community in Bulgaria. The economic data published by the Commission of Financial Surveillance (CFS), conforms to EC regulations, but do not allow non-specialists to assess realistically voluntary health insurance funds (VHIF). This article introduces a methodology for comparing VHIF and establishment of a complex index (Benchmark Index - BI) based on 5 groups of indicators, related to several available variables. This index is intended as a tool for analyzing the voluntary health insurance sector and managing resources through a set of analytic indicators and variables. It can be used to create a certain type of ranking of VHIF

The puzzle of clinical coding. Overview and options

Clinical coding is a key element in modern medical services, representing a puzzle that accurately places medical information in the right place. This includes standardized codes and terminologies that allow unambiguous and systematic representation of medical data. The clinical coding puzzle has several aspects, including diagnoses, procedures, medications, and other aspects in medical practice. Accurate and comprehensive coding ensures quality and interoperable medical information, which supports decision making and optimal delivery of medical services. But this puzzle also poses challenges such as complexity of systems, different standards, and the need to train medical professionals. In the deployment of clinical coding, ongoing work to improve standards, training, and the use of automation technologies will aid in achieving the full potential of this important element in the health information system