Lean healthcare: um caminho para melhorias de gestão e serviço de saúde

Abstract

Health researchers and managers are looking for sustainable methodologies and management tools that guarantee quality care with lower costs and waiting times, in addition to offering adequate working conditions for health professionals and user satisfaction. Lean Healthcare, known as a lean approach to healthcare, is a set of concepts, principles and tools used to create and deliver maximum value. It consists of the commitment of professionals involved in a corporate class to apply scientific methods, to plan, execute and continuously improve the work environment and service provided, generating more value to the user. The aim of this study is to study the application of lean methodology in health systems and their ability to develop improvements in management and health services. The study is qualified as a literature review and exploratory literature research, with case analysis on the implementation of lean tools. In the end, it was observed that the implementation of lean presented itself positively. Given that, in the case studies presented on the experience of implementing lean resources, advances were identified by reducing the average patient lead time (average interval between the beginning and end of a process), leveling the workload of professionals and, finally, patient satisfaction by reducing the waiting time. In addition, it revealed how to better readjust human and material resources at the unit. Finally, it was concluded that the use of lean instruments can be advantageous, because through simple but effective methodologies, it is possible to create value and eliminate waste, to benefit users and employees of the health system