A LEAN-DRIVEN EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH TO REDUCING PATIENT WAIT TIME IN A UNIVERSITY HEALTHCARE SETTING

Abstract

This study focuses on enhancing the efficiency of health care services within the university clinic by amalgamating Lean Manufacturing principles with the Design of Experiments (DoE) methodology. The principles of lean manufacturing are employed to discern and eradicate non-value-added activities, thereby fostering operational efficiency, patient satisfaction and optimal resource utilization. The investigation adopts a methodical framework that encompasses extensive data collection through surveys, interviews and observational studies, succeeded by data analysis to delineate current workflows and pinpoint inefficiencies. The DoE technique is implemented to assess factors influencing clinic operations thus facilitating the formulation of effective optimization strategies. Two determinants affecting Patient wait time, namely Patient load and doctor’s availability were chosen for the experimental design. These strategies encompass the reduction of patient wait times and the enhancement of staff productivity. The application of lean tools such as Value Stream Mapping (VSM) and the Yamazumi chart aids in the visualization and assessment of proposed enhancements. Findings indicate that the integration of DoE with Lean principles significantly diminishes Patient Wait Time in the clinic and elevates overall service delivery. A future-state Value Stream Map delineates optimized workflows, underscoring the practical advantages of the research methodology applied within the clinic. This study offers valuable insights for stakeholders and contributes to the expansive application of lean principles combined with DoE in analogous healthcare environments thereby promoting continuous advancement in clinic operations.