title: [Review and evaluation of waiting time indicators used in Italy].
abstract: In this study, a set of 15 indicators that are used to provide information on waiting times for medical services and procedures were evaluated. Each waiting time indicator was evaluated with respect to 14 criteria and given a score. The indicator "waiting time estimated through past performance" reached the highest score with respect to all others. This indicator is calculated by dividing the total number of individuals waiting for a medical procedure by the number of procedures performed in the facility in the previous month. The result is multiplied by thirty and expressed in days. This indicator can be used even in non-computerized facilities. It allows easy data accounting (at all levels, i.e service, facility, healthcare unit, area, regional and national level) and provides useful information for citizens/users.
authors.affiliation: Agenzia di Sanità Pubblica della Regione Lazio (Public Health Agency of Lazio Region). scanzano@asplazio.it
authors.forename: Pietro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Scanzano
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Caracci
authors.forename: Giulio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: De Michelis
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Casertano
authors.forename: Giorgia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Duranti
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mantuano
authors.forename: Gabriella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Guasticchi
authors.forename: Franco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Splendori
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care; D017748:Time Management; D014850:Waiting Lists