Efficiency of networking regional hospitals on the Czech Republic - Case study of Plzen Region

Abstract

Integration of hospitals for increasing their efficiency is the current trend in healthcare. Integration can be either vertical, which leads to the integration of health organizations in various complementary or related activities; or horizontal, when associated healthcare organization offer similar services. Except the integration of private hospitals (e.g. Agel, the private hospital chain) the current trend in the Czech Republic is to integrate hospitals managed by the county. The first integration of regional hospitals took place in 2004 (Health Holding Kralovehradecky region) and the latest integration was on January 1, 2015 (Hospital of Pardubice region). Drawing from an example of Health Holding of Plzen Region, the aim of this article is to answer the research question whether the horizontal integration of regional hospitals leads to their greater efficiency.