Tabriz University of Medical Sciences Depiction of Health 2008-9058 17 2 2026 06 20 Performance Evaluation of Emergency Departments in Selected Hospitals Affiliated with Tabriz University of Medical Sciences: A Cross-Sectional Study 125 137 10.34172/doh.2026.12 EN Haniyeh Ebrahimi Bakhtavar https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8696-7321 Zahra Hosseinnajhad https://orcid.org/0009-0005-2055-6967 Parvaneh Mahmoudi https://orcid.org/0009-0004-0055-9063 Fariba Valizadeh https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3676-9829 Farzad Rahmani https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5582-9156 Journal Article 10.34172/doh.2026.12 2025 07 06 2026 06 22 Background. The emergency department (ED) is a critical hospital unit that plays a decisive role in patient outcomes and overall health system performance. Regular, systematic evaluation of ED performance is essential for identifying strengths and weaknesses and for strategic planning to improve service quality and patient safety. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of selected EDs affiliated with Tabriz University of Medical Sciences using a validated and reliable checklist. Methods. This descriptive cross-sectional study evaluated 16 hospital EDs, including all facilities affiliated with Tabriz University of Medical Sciences and six district (Level 1) hospitals. The latter were selected via cluster sampling from populous counties with diverse geographical distributions to ensure provincial representation. The study was conducted from January to March 2025. The assessment tool consisted of a two-part checklist: general ED information and a validated 117-item questionnaire covering nine performance domains. The checklists were completed in person by an expert from the hospital ED department of University’s Vice-Chancellery for Treatment Affairs. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26. In addition to descriptive statistics,, independent sample t-test was used to compare performance scores by hospital type. The correlation tests were used to assess the relationship between quantitative variables. Results. The overall performance score of the EDs (out of 100) ranged from "good" to "excellent". Among the 9 domains, "time indicators" (mean score: 89.2±5.1) and "patient-centered care" (mean score: 85.7±7.3) received the highest scores. Conversely, "space and physical facilities" (mean score: 72.4±10.8) and "documentation" (mean score: 75.1±9.5) received the lowest scores. No significant statistical difference was found between general and specialized hospitals, nor was there a significant correlation between performance and the number of beds or annual patient volume (P > 0.05). Conclusion. Although the overall performance of the studied EDs was satisfactory, the findings highlight a need for targeted interventions in "space and physical facilities" and "documentation". It is recommended that policymakers and ED managers allocate budget for the renovation and optimization of physical infrastructure. Furthermore, implementing continuous training programs for staff regarding the importance and accuracy of clinical documentation is essential for improving service quality. Research Insight · The emergency departments (EDs) evaluated in this study attained a satisfactory overall performance. · Efficiency in "time indicators" and the delivery of "patient-centered care" constitute the primary operational strengths of the studied facilities. · Significant deficiencies persist in "physical infrastructure and facilities" and "clinical documentation," marking these as the most critical areas for improvement. · Rectifying these gaps requires strategic capital investment in physical space and continuous professional development focused on the accuracy and importance of clinical documentation.