The implementation of data interoperability in healthcare relies heavily on policy frameworks. However, many hospitals across South Africa are struggling to integrate data interoperability between systems, due to insufficient policy frameworks. There is a notable awareness that existing policies do not provide clear actionable direction for interoperability implementation in hospitals. This study aims to develop a policy framework for integrating data interoperability in public hospitals in Gauteng Province, South Africa. The study employed a conceptual framework grounded in institutional theory, which provided a lens to understand policies for interoperability. This study employed a convergence mixed method research design. Data were collected through an online questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. The study comprised 144 clinical and administrative personnel and 16 managers. Data were analyzed through descriptive and thematic analysis. The results show evidence of coercive isomorphism that public hospitals lack cohesive policies that facilitate data interoperability. Key barriers to establishing policy framework include inadequate funding, ambiguous guidelines, weak governance, and conflicting interests among stakeholders. The study developed a policy to facilitate the integration of data interoperability in hospitals. This study underscores the critical need for the South African government, legislators, practitioners, and policymakers to consult and involve external stakeholders in the policy-making processes.

Since 2013, the state has introduced a number of policies to strictly control the number and scale of public hospitals and to control the rapid expansion of public hospitals. After the introduction of this series of policies, the number of public hospitals in China did not continue to grow, but the number of beds in public hospitals continued to grow. This paper uses difference-in-difference (DID) method to analyze the number of public hospitals with the corresponding data of the development of private hospitals after the introduction of the policy, and the results proves that the introduction of relevant policies has an impact on the number of public hospitals, but has a limited impact on the expansion of the scale of public hospitals. At the end of the article, positive policy suggestions are given to the development of hospitals in China, such as controlling the expansion of public hospitals, strictly controlling the number of beds in public hospitals, and vigorously developing private hospitals. Promoting the development of private hospitals is an important economic supplement to China’s health care.

Management and efficiency have a fundamental impact on the performance of public hospitals, as well as on their philanthropic mission. Various studies have shown that the financial weaknesses of these entities affect the planning, setting of goals and objectives, monitoring, evaluation and feedback necessary to improve health systems and guarantee accessibility as an inalienable right. This study aims to analyze the management and efficiency of third-level and/or high-complexity hospitals in Colombia, through a statistical model that uses financial analysis and key performance indicators (KPIs) such as ROA, ROE and EBITDA. A non-experimental cross-sectional design is used, with an analytical-synthetic, documentary, exploratory and descriptive approach. The results show financial deficiencies in the hospitals evaluated; hence it is recommended to make adjustments in the operating cycle to increase efficiency rates. In addition, the use of the KPIs ROA and ROE under adjusted models is suggested for a more precise analysis of the financial ratios, since these adequately explain the variability of each indicator and are appropriate to evaluate hospital management and efficiency, but not in EBITDA ratio, hence the latter is not recommended to evaluate hospital efficiency reliably. This study provides relevant information for public health policy makers, hospital managers and researchers, in order to promote the efficiency and improvement of health services.

While the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, rural-based hospitals face unique challenges in providing quality patient care amidst resource constraints and geographical isolation. This study evaluates the impact of big data analytics in rural-based hospitals in relation to service delivery and shaping future policies. Evaluating the impact of big data analytics in rural-based hospitals will assist in discovering the benefits and challenges pertinent to this hospital. The study employs a positivist paradigm to quantitatively analyze collected data from rural-based hospital professionals from the Information Technology (IT) departments. Through a comprehensive evaluation of big data analytics, this study seeks to provide valuable insights into the feasibility, infrastructure, policies, development, benefits and challenges associated with incorporating big data analytics into rural-based hospitals for day-to-day operations. The findings are expected to contribute to the ongoing discourse on healthcare innovation, particularly in rural-based hospitals and inform strategies for optimizing the implementation and use of big data analytics to improve patient care, decision-making, operations and healthcare sustainability in rural-based hospitals.