Lean Management in Healthcare: Definition, Concepts, Methodology and Effects Reported

Abstract

Lean management, originally developed within the Toyota Production System, has emerged as a transformative approach in healthcare organizations seeking to enhance operational efficiency, improve patient outcomes, and reduce waste. This comprehensive review examines the theoretical foundations, practical applications, and documented effects of lean management principles in healthcare settings. Drawing from empirical studies across diverse healthcare contexts, this paper elucidates how lean methodologies address the unique challenges of hospital operations, patient flow, and care delivery. The synthesis of evidence demonstrates that lean implementation in healthcare yields measurable improvements in process efficiency, patient safety, staff satisfaction, and cost reduction. However, successful adoption requires careful adaptation of manufacturing principles to the complexities of clinical environments, sustained leadership commitment, and organizational culture transformation. This review provides healthcare administrators, clinicians, and researchers with a critical understanding of lean management's potential and limitations in modern healthcare delivery systems.