A systematic literature review of empirical research in Lean and Six Sigma in healthcare

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to review the existing literature on empirical research in Lean, Six Sigma and Lean Six Sigma in healthcare. The approach for the critical review of the 118 papers found is based on the empirical research approach given by Flynn, Sakakibara, Schroeder, Bates, and Flynn (Empirical research methods in operations management. Journal of Operations Management, 9(2), 250–284). It is concluded from the analysis of the results that the number of empirical research articles in Lean, Six Sigma and Lean Six Sigma in healthcare is increasing in a very fast way. Despite this fact, it is still needed studies describing: (i) how to create a continuous improvement culture in practice; (ii) the main aspects and lessons learned on how to sustain the improvements implemented and (iii) the specific barriers for conducting improvements in the healthcare sector. To the best knowledge of the authors, this paper is the first to attempt to critically review the empirical research articles in Lean, Six Sigma and Lean Six Sigma in healthcare.

Keywords:

• Lean manufacturing
• Six Sigma
• Lean Six Sigma
• healthcare
• literature review
• empirical research