Experience of implementing lean thinking in an Indian healthcare institution



Narayanamurthy, Gopalakrishnan ORCID: 0000-0002-3119-5248, Gurumurthy, Anand and Lankayil, Arjun Athikkamannil
(2021) Experience of implementing lean thinking in an Indian healthcare institution. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LEAN SIX SIGMA, 12 (1). pp. 23-60.

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Abstract

<jats:sec><jats:title content-type="abstract-subheading">Purpose</jats:title><jats:p>The purpose of this study is to document the experience and impact of implementing lean thinking (LT) in an Indian healthcare institution.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type="abstract-subheading">Design/methodology/approach</jats:title><jats:p>A detailed review of literature documenting the experience of implementing LT in healthcare institutions is carried out. Review revealed that there is a dearth of documentation on implementation of LT in Indian healthcare institutions. To address this gap, the experience of implementing LT in an Indian case hospital is documented by adopting a single case study research methodology.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type="abstract-subheading">Findings</jats:title><jats:p>Lean practices adopted by the Indian case hospital are documented. Performance measures before and after implementation of lean practices in the case hospital are compared. Based on this experience, a framework for implementing LT is proposed for healthcare institutions.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type="abstract-subheading">Research limitations/implications</jats:title><jats:p>The current study documents the experience of an Indian case hospital, which is only at its initial stages of LT implementation. Future studies can be undertaken to assess the long-term impact of implementing LT in a healthcare institution. Similarly, the proposed framework for implementing LT can be validated by using the same in different healthcare institutions.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type="abstract-subheading">Practical implications</jats:title><jats:p>Review of lean principles, practices and performance measures discussed in the literature on implementing LT in healthcare institutions can act as a ready reckoner for practitioners. Framework proposed based on the experience of the case hospital is expected to guide healthcare practitioners in their lean journey.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type="abstract-subheading">Originality/value</jats:title><jats:p>This study is unique, as it documents the experience of implementing LT in an Indian healthcare institution and proposes a framework for implementing LT for future validation.</jats:p></jats:sec>

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Framework, India, Process improvement, Case study, Lean thinking, Hospital, Developing economy, Healthcare institution
Depositing User: Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited: 02 Oct 2018 15:42
Last Modified: 05 Sep 2023 00:07
DOI: 10.1108/IJLSS-10-2016-0062
Related URLs:
URI: https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3026892