Enteral diet therapy: use of the Lean Healthcare philosophy in process improvement

Abstract

Objective: To identify the nonconformities of the enteral diet therapy process. Method: Exploratory case study, using as a theoretical framework the philosophy of Lean Healthcare in an inpatient unit of a large hospital in Minas Gerais State. The sample consisted of 19 professionals from the multidisciplinary team involved in the enteral nutritional therapy process and the unit’s documentary sample. For the data collection, we used a semi-structured script, participant observation and documentary analysis. Results: There were eight nonconformities related to enteral diet therapy. During the participant observation, there was a lack of a management model that seeks the continuous improvement of the process, as well as resistance to change. Conclusion: Although enteral diet therapy is important in the patient’s evolution, there are adverse events that could be prevented and the Lean philosophy assists in the identification of process nonconformities.