Improving quality and efficiency in healthcare. The Lean Thinking strategy

Abstract

Lean Thinking is a philosophy originated from Toyota Production Systems that emphasize eliminating non-value added activities while delivering quality products on time at least cost with greater efficiency. It has been adapted and expanded by a wide range of industries, including logistics and distribution, services, retail, government, construction, maintenance and even healthcare. The first hospital that implemented the Lean Thinking was Virginia Mason Hospital. Some successful examples of Lean implementation in health care settings are: Johns Hopkins – Baltimore, John Radcliffe – Oxford, Mount Sinai - New York, New Karolinska Solna – Stockholm and Erasmus Medical Centre – Rotterdam.