Universal Journal of Public Health Vol. 5(4), pp. 190 - 195
DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2017.050409
Reprint (PDF) (173Kb)

Evaluating Lean Thinking and Facility Design in Two University Hospitals

Virpi Ruohomäki ¹, Emmi Reijula ², Jori Reijula ^3,*
1 Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Finland
² Kuopio University Hospital, Finland
³ Granlund Consulting, Finland

ABSTRACT

Hospitals will be expected to work more efficiently in the upcoming years due to several factors, one of which is aging population groups. Meanwhile, healthcare resources are dwindling, as is the amount of available personnel. This paper examines interviews and questionnaires that were conducted to assess the experiences and effects of Lean implementation in two university hospitals. Several factors, such as emphasis on the participatory, user-centric design approach and integrating Lean as an integral part of the operational facility design process in both target hospitals have proven to be beneficial. This study delivers promising evidence from the two university hospitals, which supports the implementation of Lean in the healthcare sector for improving facility design and work processes.

KEYWORDS
Healthcare, Hospitals, Lean, Questionnaires, Interviews, Facility Design, Work Processes

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Virpi Ruohomäki , Emmi Reijula , Jori Reijula , "Evaluating Lean Thinking and Facility Design in Two University Hospitals," Universal Journal of Public Health, Vol. 5, No. 4, pp. 190 - 195, 2017. DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2017.050409.

(b). APA Format:
Virpi Ruohomäki , Emmi Reijula , Jori Reijula (2017). Evaluating Lean Thinking and Facility Design in Two University Hospitals. Universal Journal of Public Health, 5(4), 190 - 195. DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2017.050409.