Lean manufacturing + healthcare= lean healthcare, a way to optimize efficiency in the healthcare sector

Abstract

The concept of Lean Manufacturing arises within the Toyota Production System (TPS) with the aim of eliminating all activities that do not generate value to enhance and increase productivity. Lean Manufacturing is applied in the West, and the concept transforms into Lean Manufacturing (LM). This concept no longer belongs solely to the automotive sector; all its tools have now migrated to all activities of daily life. An important application, particularly in dealing with human lives, is in the healthcare sector, specifically in hospitals. This gives rise to the concept of Lean Healthcare, which has broad applications, often resulting in process improvements, the elimination of non-value-generating activities, and better resource management.