Have process redesign methods, such as Lean, been successful in changing care delivery in hospitals? A systematic review

Abstract

A systematic literature review identified 41 studies, including four reviews, reporting on process redesign interventions in hospitals. Success factors for the changes included mechanisms to facilitate participation throughout the process, clearly documented protocols and expectations for the health professionals which were supported by education, mechanisms to audit and provide feedback on behaviours and performance, as well as being able to hold the participating health professionals accountable. The success of process redesign methodologies is found to be highly dependent on these performance-based human resource management (HRM) practices.

Keywords:

• Health professionals
• hospitals
• Lean
• process redesign
• six sigma

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the Australian Research Council for their financial support (Project No. LP110200528).