Applying Lean in Process Innovation in Healthcare: The Case of Hip Fracture

Manuel Francisco Morales-Contreras, Pedro Chana-Valero, Manuel F. Suárez-Barraza, Andrés Saldaña Díaz and Elena García García
Additional contact information
Manuel Francisco Morales-Contreras: Department of Management, ICADE, Universidad Pontificia Comillas, ICADE, 28015 Madrid, Spain
Pedro Chana-Valero: Fundación San Juan de Dios, Centro de CC de la Salud San Rafael, Universidad Nebrija, 28036 Madrid, Spain
Manuel F. Suárez-Barraza: International Business Department, School of Business and Economy, Universidad de las Américas Puebla (UDLAP), Puebla 72810, Mexico
Andrés Saldaña Díaz: Hospital San Juan de Dios León, 24010 León, Spain
Elena García García: Fundación San Juan de Dios, Centro de CC de la Salud San Rafael, Universidad Nebrija, 28036 Madrid, Spain

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 15, 1-25

Abstract: 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.

Keywords: lean; process innovation; healthcare; quality improvement; hip fracture integrated care pathway (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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