Length of stay comparisons for private and public hospitals

Abstract

This analysis uses average length of stay as a proxy for efficiency, to compare the Australian private and public hospitalsectors. We conclude that private hospitals are more efficient than public hospitals in providing the range of care providedby private hospitals. However, public hospitals are more efficient in handling the casemix of the public hospital sector.The picture is more complicated when particular types of care (such as obstetric and psychiatric) are excluded.