Alberto BudÃa Alba
La Fe University and Polytechnic Hospital, Spain
Title: Application of lean healthcare methodology in a urology department of a tertiary hospital-Is it sustainable in a public health Service?
Biography
Biography: Alberto BudÃa Alba
Abstract
Statement of the Problem: The application of this methodology to the management of health services is very appropriate in times of crisis when demand continues to grow and there is no longer a growing funding that can adapt to this demand. The foundation of this methodology is the reduction of costs, the improvement of the feedback between the health personnel, the increase in the care and production quality, the decrease in the proportion of patients who do not show up at scheduled appointments, the improvement in the main indicators, as well as the reduction of human and system errors.
Purpose: The purpose of this work is to evaluate whether the application of the lean healthcare methodology is sustainable in a tertiary department of a Spanish health service public hospital looking for improving efficiency.
Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: The implementation of the lean healthcare methodology in a urology department was conducted by carrying out the five consecutive steps described in this methodology. This was applied in three non-sequential phases: team training, process management and continuous improvement. The main source of information is the balanced scorecard for health systems management (CUIDISS). The comparison with other national urology departments was performed through the same platform (IASIST).
Findings: The implementation of this methodology translated into high practitioner satisfaction, increased the care production and improved quality indicators, mainly risk-adjusted length of stay, risk-adjusted complication index and risk adjusted mortality rate. The readmissions rate was the only indicator above the standard due to the adjusted length of stay. The application of this methodology resulted essential to improve the efficiency of the service and hospital.
Conclusion & Significance: The implementation of the lean healthcare methodology is possible in the Spanish public health care; however its sustainability depends on a parallel increase of resources to the care production and an intrinsic and extrinsic recognition of the unit, service or center that has incorporated it.