Lean business models in healthcare: a systematic review

Abstract

This paper includes the systematic literature review on lean business models used in the healthcare industry to aid in reducing waste, costs, and improving overall patient care and satisfaction. A systematic literature review was conducted to analyze lean business models used in the healthcare industry regarding lean thinking in healthcare, object technology, Six Sigma and quality models, organisational culture and lean implementation, healthcare delivery method study, clinical services redesign program, process improvement cost model, vendor managed inventory, supply chain innovation, strategic customer service orientation, and the model of care in the healthcare industry. The systematic review of the literature on lean business models suggests that the models such as several process improvement cost models, lean thinking models, managerial process improvement, and models of care can be used in the healthcare industry to reduce waste and costs and improve patient satisfaction. Sustaining competitive advantage for accountable care organisations was also found to help in accomplishing the value demands required by customers and competitors. This paper can be used as a guide for implementing lean business models and lean practices and the review can be used to help organisations see the benefits in using lean practices in the healthcare industry.

Keywords:

• Lean Six Sigma
• model of care
• lean thinking
• healthcare delivery improvement
• performance improvement
• resource efficiency
• operational efficiency

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.