| Abstract [eng] |
In today's global and dynamic environment, health care organizations face with various problems and are under increasing pressure from patients, competitors, and society perspective. In order to ensure the quality of health care and patients’ satisfaction, to achieve objectives of healthcare institution, it is important to reconsider the activities and processes, and to focus on value to patient, and patient-centred care. The essence of Lean concept is a focus on the value to customer and elimination of all activities that add no value from customer’s perspective. It tends to lead to production of products and services at minimal cost, flexibility, and continuous improvement. Costumer value and satisfaction, in turn, means the value to an organization, improvement of financial indicators, and competitive advantage. Based on the analysis of scientific literature, this master‘s thesis seeks to reveal a multidimensional Lean essence and the main opportunities and challenges health care institutions face with while implementing Lean concept in practice. After examination of Lean essence, identification of key problems health care institutions face with, there are provided theoretical model for Lean concept implementation. The object of research is an application of lean concept for the sector of health care. The research focuses on introduction of Lean management into the health care sector in Lithuanian hospitals. It is based on a case study of a Lean implementation project that was pioneered by VšĮ Kauno Respublikinė ligoninė and VšĮ Kėdainių PSPC. This master‘s thesis examines how these hospitals use Lean management to reduce waste and increase benefits of their patients. This master‘s thesis uses qualitative research. This research are considered of interview method and documents‘ analysis. Lithuanian hospitals adopt Lean mostly expecting to increase efficiency, to develop problem solving and housekeeping capabilities. They internalize employee training on Lean principles and practices, integration of quality control into work processes, work standardization, Kaizen, Kanban and 5S more frequently than other practices. Finally, they perceive increased efficiency, accomplishment of order, health care service delivery on time, and decreased unnecessary movements, defectiveness as the most important effects of adoption. However, the main challenge these health care institutions face with while implementing Lean concept are employees‘ resistance and lack of motivation. |
