Is Lean The Way to Go For Greater Safety and Quality? Possibly Not.

Lean is a widely used quality improvement methodology.  The origins of lean are in the automotive and manufacturing industry.  The primary goals of lean are to eliminate waste,  specify patient value and identify all the steps in the value stream so as to improve process and outcomes.

But does it really work in healthcare?

Here is a systematic review of the literature of Lean healthcare interventions.

Bottom line: Lean interventions have no significant impact on patient satisfaction health outcomes.  Lean interventions are associated with increased financial costs and decreased healthcare worker satisfaction.

We need to learn more about how best to improve patient experience and outcomes. Lean interventions may not be salvation in patient quality.