Implementing operations strategy through Lean processes within health care

A Framework for the Human-Centered Design of Service Processes Enabled by Medical Devices: A Case Study of Wearable Devices for Parkinson's Disease

The successful introduction of medical devices (MDs) in real-world settings hinges on designing service processes that cater to stakeholders' needs. While human-centered design (HCD) approaches have been widely applied to service process innovation, the literature lacks a methodology that leverages MDs' key features to design service processes that meet stakeholders' needs. This study aims to fill this gap by developing a framework for the HCD of service processes enabled by MDs. The proposed framework mixes and adapts methodological elements from HCD and technology-enabled design approaches and proposes four new tools. The five-phase framework was applied to the design of a new Parkinson's disease diagnosis and treatment process (PD-DTP) enabled by two wearable MDs for the detection of motor symptoms. The case study lasted five months and involved 42 stakeholders in 21 meetings (interviews, focus groups, etc.). Thanks to the case study, the framework was tested, and a new PD-DTP that could benefit all stakeholders involved was identified. This study provides a framework that, in addition to contributing to theory, could assist MDs developers and healthcare managers in designing service processes that cater to stakeholders' needs by leveraging MDs' key features.

Lean Six Sigma in Healthcare: A Systematic Literature Review on Challenges, Organisational Readiness and Critical Success Factors

Lean Six Sigma (LSS) has been applied in many healthcare organisations, but there has been limited research on the evolution of LSS application in healthcare. This paper aims to present the challenges, critical success factors (CSFs), readiness factors and most common tools and techniques used for LSS deployment in healthcare. A systematic literature review (SLR) was utilised to research the study objectives. Peer-reviewed literature over a 16-year period was studied to understand the deliverables of LSS. The SLR process identified relevant articles and screened a final selection for those under study. The systematic literature review helped the authors to identify the challenges and tools/techniques used for LSS in healthcare. Several CSFs and readiness factors for LSS deployment in healthcare are also presented. This work informs healthcare managers and professionals on the important factors for successful LSS deployment before embarking on the LSS journey. In addition, this work is a valuable resource for healthcare LSS practitioners and academic researchers to learn about, investigate and deploy LSS in the healthcare sector. This study is one of the most comprehensive SLRs covering the importance and specificity of understanding challenges, CSFs and organisational readiness for LSS in healthcare. This study provides knowledge of the successful deployment of LSS in healthcare.

Lean Six Sigma in Healthcare: A Systematic Literature Review on Motivations and Benefits

While Lean Six Sigma (LSS) has been applied extensively in healthcare organisations, there has been limited research on the trends of LSS application in healthcare in recent years. This paper aims to present the key motivations and benefits of LSS in healthcare with a view to highlighting the types of problems that LSS in healthcare can aid in solving. The authors used a systematic literature review (SLR) approach to achieving the article’s purpose. Peer-reviewed journal articles published between 2011 and 2021 are considered to achieve the study objectives. The systematic review helped the authors to identify the evolution, benefits, and motivations for LSS in healthcare. This work includes directions for managers and healthcare professionals in healthcare organisations to embark on a focused LSS journey aligned with the strategic objectives. This study is perhaps one of the most comprehensive SLRs covering a vital agenda of LSS in healthcare. This study provides all the deliverables of LSS for its successful deployment in healthcare.

Lean healthcare applied systematically in a medium-sized medical clinic hospitalization

PURPOSE

The objective of this paper is to propose a systematic application of Lean Healthcare in the hospitalization activity in the medical clinic entry process.

DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH

The methodology used is established in three stages: the first aims to map the process in which the focus activity is inserted, using lean tools, as well as integrating the employees involved in the application. The second is the proposal to apply the systematic, together with the employees, using the A3 tool step by step. Finally, the third stage confirms the applied systematic, collecting the results and analyzing the initial situation with those reached.

FINDINGS

As a result, improvements were made in the medical clinic entry process, such as reduced waiting time for patients, at approximately 53.8%, with a decrease in the standard deviation of the times - of approximately 79.14%, and displacement of those involved, of 72%, in addition to eliminating unnecessary activities for the process. Furthermore, the empirical results on the efficiency of this systemic application in medical clinic enable the replication of this proposal, generating a systematic.

RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS

Despite establishing a systematic proposal with real results, it is focused on only one application, due to time limitations, may generate a subjective evaluation of the systematic. Thus, for future research, it is recommended to expand this systemic application in other activities of different processes.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

The practical implications of this paper are precisely related to the data obtained with the application made, developing a Lean Healthcare systematic not previously seen, which is strategic, systemic and has a roadmap to assist in its application and, in addition, brings with it practical results that prove their efficiency.

SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS

The social implications of this paper are presented in its empirical results, considering that the study hospital serves, in addition to its host city, 28 other smaller municipalities around it, improving the flow of processes, ensuring better management of the clinic doctor. In addition, the results can assist the processes flow of other medical clinics in hospitals around the world, especially at critical moments, such as pandemics or epidemics.

ORIGINALITY/VALUE

Due to the positive results obtained in the systematic application, this paper fills a gap identified in the literature, proposing a systematic application of Lean Healthcare that is systemic and strategic, in addition to including a roadmap and analysis of data applied in a medium-sized Brazilian hospital, presenting positive practical results exposed in the paper.

An evaluation of Lean and Six Sigma methodologies in the national health service

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to conduct an empirical study derived from the previous literature from the perspective of benefits, tools and techniques, continuous improvement (CI) and quality improvement (QI) methodologies and critical failure factors (CFFs) of Lean and Six Sigma (SS) in the national health service (NHS).

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review was carried out to identify previous findings, empirical data and critical variables concerning Lean and SS in healthcare for over ten years. Second, primary research in quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews was carried out with 110 participants who have experience using Lean and SS in the NHS.

Findings

Lean and SS have evolved into common practices within the NHS and now have an established list of tools and techniques frequently employed by staff. Lean and SS are considered robust CI methodologies capable of effectively delivering extensive benefits across many different categories. The NHS must overcome a sizable amount of highly important CFFs and divided organizational culture.

Originality/value

This paper has developed the most extensive empirical study ever produced on Lean and SS in the NHS and has expanded on previous works to create new and updated research. The findings produced in this paper will assist NHS medical directors and practitioners in obtaining up-to-date insight into Lean and SS status in the NHS. The paper will also guide the NHS to critically evaluate their current CI strategy to ensure long-term sustainability and deliver improved levels of service to patients.

Analysis and Evaluation of Reviews on Lean and Six Sigma in Health Care

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Health care is a complex industry in which professionals are facing the challenge of balancing lower costs with better health and quality of care. To remain competitive, health care organizations have promoted the use of Lean and Six Sigma in various settings. More than 300 refereed English-language articles about Lean and/or Six Sigma in health care are found in the literature, and many reviews have been published on this subject.

METHODS

This article characterizes the literature by evaluating and classifying 22 reviews, based on year of publication, country, taxonomy, health care setting, outcome, tools, and enabling factors, in order to identify gaps in the literature and set new directions for research.

RESULTS

Findings indicate that 90% of reviews are characterized by restrictive inclusion criteria that result in the inclusion of only 3% to 66% of the literature at the corresponding time. Furthermore, there is no full comprehensive literature review available on Lean and Six Sigma in health care. Other gaps in the literature include more studies with better research design, broader applications in various health care settings and various countries, sustainability assessment and long-term effects, and evidence of failed Lean and Six Sigma implementations.

CONCLUSION

This study provides an updated starting point for future research to researchers and practitioners in the field.

Assessing the state of lean and six sigma practices in healthcare in Mexico

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study is to assess the state at which lean and six sigma (LSS) are used as a management system to improve the national health system national health system of Mexico.

DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH

Cross-sectional survey-research. The survey was administered at 30 different hospitals across six states in Mexico. These were selected using convenience sampling and participants (N = 258) were selected through random/snowball sampling procedures, including from top managers down to front-line staff.

FINDINGS

Only 16 per cent of respondents reported participation in LSS projects. Still, these implementations are limited to using isolated tools, mainly 5s, failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) and Fishbone diagram, with the lack of training/knowledge and financial resources as the top disabling factors. Overall, LSS has not become systematic in daily management and operations.

RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS

The sampling procedure was by convenience; however, every attempt was made to ensure a lack of bias in the individual responses. If still there was a bias, it is conjectured that this would likely be in overestimating the penetration of LSS.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

The penetration of LSS management practices into the Mexican health system is in its infancy, and the sustainability of current projects is jeopardized given the lack of systematic integration. Hence, LSS should be better spread and communicated across healthcare organizations in Mexico.

ORIGINALITY/VALUE

This is the first research work that evaluates the use of LSS management practices in a Latin American country, and the first journal paper that focuses on LSS in healthcare in Mexico.

A case-based methodology for lean implementation in hospital operations

PURPOSE

Although there are general methodologies for lean implementation in manufacturing companies, a specific methodology for the implementation of lean healthcare in hospitals has not been addressed by the literature. Addressing this gap, the purpose of this paper is to develop a practice-driven methodology for implementing lean in hospital operations.

DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH

Three case studies were conducted to collect evidence on the lean implementation process in Brazilian hospitals. From empirical evidence and literature, the implementation methodology was proposed and submitted to critical assessment by experts from the field.

FINDINGS

The process of lean implementation was very similar in all cases, triggered by strategic planning and operationalized by continuous improvement projects. On the other hand, in all cases, the lean implementation teams had to deal with employees' resistance. These findings were valuable inputs to the development of the implementation methodology. After refinement, it was proposed a feasible, useful and user-friendly methodology.

RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS

The proposed methodology was raised from the practice through case study research. However, the proposed methodology was not fully applied, and the associated performance measures were not elaborated in this paper. Therefore, more case studies and applications will be necessary to generalize the findings.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

The methodology provides practical guidelines that support lean implementation in hospital operations. Although it demands adaptations for each specific hospital setting, this initial step may encourage hospital managers to start the lean journey.

ORIGINALITY/VALUE

This study addressed the gap in the literature regarding the lack of methodologies for implementing lean healthcare in hospital operations. The methodology synthesizes the knowledge, principles and tools of lean thinking that can be applied in hospital operations.

An exploratory study into the use of Lean Six Sigma to reduce medication errors in the Norwegian public healthcare context

PURPOSE

Medication errors are a significant cause of injury in Norwegian hospitals. The purpose of this study is to explore how Lean Six Sigma (LSS) has been used in the Norwegian public health-care context to reduce medication errors.

DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH

A mixed method approach was used to gather data from participants working in the four regions served by the Norway health authorities. A survey questionnaire was distributed to 38 health-care practitioners and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 health-care practitioners.

FINDINGS

The study finds that the implementation of LSS in the Norwegian public health-care context is still in its infancy. This is amidst several challenges faced by Norwegian hospitals such as the lack of top-management support, lack of LSS training and coaching and a lack of awareness around the benefits of LSS in health care.

RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS

Because of the large geographical area, it was difficult to reach participants from all health regions in Norway. However, the study managed to assess the current status of LSS implementation through the participants' perspectives. This is a fruitful area for future research whereby an action research methodology could be used.

ORIGINALITY/VALUE

To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first empirical study into the use of LSS methodology in reducing medication errors. In addition, this study is valuable for health-care practitioners and professionals as a guideline to achieve the optimal benefit of LSS implementation to reduce medication errors.

Can Lean Six Sigma be used to reduce medication errors in the health-care sector?

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present the implementation of Lean Six Sigma (LSS) to reduce medication errors, by using four case examples. The paper will also suggest appropriate Lean and Sigma tools to improve the medication process. Design/methodology/approach The authors critically analyze four case examples that used LSS projects, to demonstrate the approach, benefits, success factors and lessons learnt. Findings LSS is a powerful process improvement methodology that could be applied by health-care sectors to reduce medication errors, increase patient safety and reduce operational costs. Common Lean and Six Sigma tools play a significant role in improving and sustaining the medication process. Practical implications It is necessary for the project team to select the most appropriate LSS tools to address medication process problems. Adoption of a LSS roadmap could help health-care organizations in the successful implementation of LSS. Originality/value The paper is valuable for health-care professionals seeking to reduce errors in the medication process or other processes that need to be improved.