Applying Lean Techniques in Hospital

9 Pages Posted: 30 Jul 2009

See all articles by Shivaji

Shivaji

Maharishi University of Management

Sairavi Subramaniam

Maharishi University of Management ; Centennial College

Date Written: July 29, 2009

Abstract

US hospitals aim to provide quality service and treatment at reasonable cost to their customers but public have been complaining about the increasing health costs, hospital charges, doctor’s fees, poor service quality, long waiting times etc. Rising public concerns about health costs and high insurance premiums have been major election issues. Environmental issues have also come to focus and hospitals are trying to become environmentally friendly. Hospitals have been seriously considering employing methods to improve patient care, efficiency and to reduce costs. There have been many attempts to adopt Japanese management technique popularly known as lean techniques in hospitals. Many successes have been reported. The authors have reviewed the literature and have identified the reasons for success. The authors have also found a hospital where the lean implementation was a partial success and discussed in detail the reasons. The authors recommend some guidelines for hospitals embarking on lean implementation.

Keywords: Lean application, Lean management, Hospital administration

Suggested Citation

Shivaji, Edi and SUBRAMANIAM, SAIRAVI, Applying Lean Techniques in Hospital (July 29, 2009). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1441006 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1441006

Edi Shivaji

Maharishi University of Management ( email )

1000 north 4th Street,
MUM Campus
Fairfield, IA 52557
United States

SAIRAVI SUBRAMANIAM (Contact Author)

Maharishi University of Management ( email )

1000 north 4th Street,
MUM Campus
Fairfield, IA 52557
United States

Centennial College ( email )

941 Progress Ave
Toronto, Ontario ON M1K 5E9
Canada
4167955506 (Phone)

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