Implementation of lean thinking in healthcare services: Why is it importance

Abstract

Background: : Indonesia has implemented National Health Insurance since 2014 through quality improvement and cost efficiency strategy. In the early implementation, many hospitals suffered a loss due to the absence of efficiency in operational health services. In the other hand, few hospitals have implemented lean as an attempt of quality improvement and cost efficiency in National Health Insurance era. There is not enough evidence in Indonesia to support management tools implementation such as Lean for improving efficiency. Aims: This study aims to develop scientific knowledge and goodwill of Lean implementation in healthcare services in many countries. This study also becomes evidence-based to implement lean in Indonesia. Methods: This study used a systematic literature review and searched PubMed, Scopus, Clinical key, Sciencedirect, EBSCO, and other related journals from 2009 to 2018 with syntax keywords for each database. Twenty-two articles were included in the reviewed. Results: The result showed that most journals discussed Lean reducing lead time and ALOS to improve the patient value and patient safety, as well as the amount of journal discussed about Lean made cost reduction in healthcare operational to improve efficiency. Conclusion: Lean implementation should be adopted by Indonesian hospitals as quality improvement and cost containment strategy and enhance patient safety under National Health Insurance era.