Abstract:
The purpose of this study is to apply the Balanced Scorecard for measuring the
community hospital’s performance in Phattalung province. The study population was
three community hospitals in the northern zone of Phattalung province. The
performance indicators complied with the Balanced Scorecard concepts obtained from
a previous study. Three data record form -- general data of the hospital, patient
satisfaction data, and staff satisfaction data -- were used as the data instruments. The
retrospective data in the fiscal year 2002 of the three hospitals were collected,
calculated into ratio, and compared.
The twenty obtainable indicators on the Balanced Scorecard were grouped as
lagging or leading indicators and used to measure the performance. The results
showed that in financial perspective, Sribunphot was the best in profitability, budget
control, and liquidity, and Papa-yom was the best in low cost operation. Khuankhanun
and Papa-yom were the highest in patient satisfaction and staff satisfaction,
respectively. Khuankhanun and Sribunphot were equally the best in internal-businessprocess
perspective. In the last perspective, learning and growth, Khuankhanun was
the best again. Because of the good results in leading indicators, Khuankhanun
seemed to have the best future.
The results could support the application of the Balanced Scorecard for
performance measurement in the hospitals because it covered all management aspects.
Furthermore, the performance indicators from the Balanced Scorecard showed cause
and effect relationships and also measured both performance drivers and performance
outcome.