Comparative Analysis Between French And Romanian Health Systems – Case Study Using 2 Similar Hospitals

Abstract

This case study compares two hospitals, CHIRC in France and SMO in Romania, analyzing physician staffing levels, hospital activity, and efficiency indicators. CHIRC has 543 beds, organized into three major departments (obstetrics and geriatrics, and mental health and addictions), while SMO has 573 beds, organized into clinical, paraclinical, outpatient, and day care departments. Although bed capacity is similar, the two hospitals show significant differences in staffing structure and resource utilization.
CHIRC reported 55.05 full-time equivalent (FTE) physicians, compared to 128 FTE at SMO. This corresponds to 10.14 physicians per 100 beds at CHIRC and 22.33 at SMO. However, in relation to the activity carried out, CHIRC records 2.80 doctors per 1,000 admissions, compared to 7.18 at SMO. The staff structure is also reflected in the volume of pay slips, with a higher average at CHIRC (1,014 per month) compared to SMO (756), in line with the FTE distribution.
Hospital activity differs between the two units: CHIRC recorded 19,677 full hospitalizations, 3,612 day-hospitalizations and 85,947 outpatient consultations, while SMO reported 17,842 full hospitalizations, 24,114 day-hospitalizations and 108,579 consultations. The average length of hospital stay was higher at CHIRC (7.49 days) compared to SMO (5.47 days). The bed occupancy rate was 74.33% at CHIRC and 46.72% at SMO. Imaging activity was also higher at CHIRC (36,399 procedures) compared to SMO (21,810).
Overall, the results highlight important differences in resource organization and utilization patterns, with implications for the efficiency and planning of health systems.