Applying lean in process innovation in healthcare: the case of hip fracture

M.F. Morales Contreras, P. Chana-Valero, M.F. Suárez-Barraza, A. Saldaña Díaz, E. García García

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Vol. 17, nº. 15, pp. 5273-1 - 5273-25

Summary:

Academic literature and practitioners acknowledge that there is a need to improve efficiency and service quality in the healthcare industry. In Spain, osteoporotic fractures represent a great cost in socio-economic and morbi-mortality terms, hip fracture being the surgical pathology with the second highest consumption of resources. The research questions that govern this study concern the use of Lean principles to identify waste, and an evaluation of the application of an innovative approach in the hip fracture surgery process. A research design based on a case study and action research was developed. Findings relate to (i) the identification of the main types of waste or muda (being the most frequent delay, transportation, over-processing and defects); (ii) the analysis of existing processes based on a Lean approach (identifying opportunities for improvement as a reduction of the number of steps and participants, improving communication, automation, standardization, etc.); and (iii) the application of an innovative process based on the Lean approach and action research in the healthcare industry. This research provides insights for academia, practitioners, management, and society: waste identification and process redesign helps to continue the improvement of operations, increase efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance services, providing benefits to patients, families, hospital employees, and the healthcare system.

Spanish layman's summary:

Caso de estudio en sector salud: el uso de principios Lean para identificar desperdicio y evaluar la aplicación de un enfoque de innovación en el proceso de cirugía de fractura de cadera en un hospital. Esta investigación es de interés para la academia, los profesionales, la gestión y la sociedad. 

English layman's summary:

This paper presents a case study in healthcare about the use of Lean principles to identify waste and to evaluate the application of an innovative approach in the hip fracture surgery process in a hospital. This research provides insights for academia, practitioners, management, and society. 

Keywords: lean, process innovation, healthcare, quality improvement, hip fracture integrated care pathway

JCR Impact Factor and WoS quartile: 3,390 - Q1 (2020); 4,614 - Q1 (2021)

DOI reference: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17155273

Published on paper: August 2020.

Published on-line: July 2020.

Citation:
M.F. Morales Contreras, P. Chana-Valero, M.F. Suárez-Barraza, A. Saldaña Díaz, E. García García, Applying lean in process innovation in healthcare: the case of hip fracture. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. Vol. 17, nº. 15, pp. 5273-1 - 5273-25, August 2020. [Online: July 2020]