Department of Industrial Management Technology and Logistics, Nakhon Si Thammarat Rajabhat University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand.
College of Logistics and Supply Chain, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Leadersh Health Serv (Bradf Engl). 2021 May 18;ahead-of-print(ahead-of-print). doi: 10.1108/LHS-10-2020-0080.
The aims of this paper are to illustrate the use of Lean tools to reduce inpatient waiting time and to evaluate critical success factors of Lean implementation in an inpatient pharmacy in a Thai public hospital.
DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: This study was carried out through action research methodology by following four key phases: identification of problems; planning action; taking action; and evaluation. In the "taking action" phase, Lean tools, including value stream mapping and 5S were implemented to improve dispensing process in an inpatient pharmacy. In the "evaluation phase", the critical success factors of Lean implementation in an inpatient pharmacy were evaluated by the participants.
Lean methodology was successfully implemented to reduce the waiting time associated with a three days dose distribution system. As a result of Lean application, the average process time reduced from 8.81 to 7.2 min and the standard deviation reduced from 5.49 to 4.45 min. Moreover, the support of middle management and the leadership were the key success factors of Lean implementation in an inpatient pharmacy.
Hospitals can improve the dispensing process by using Lean tools which are easy to apply and use. This study is appropriate for hospital managers looking for changes in pharmacy services or other departments.
ORIGINALITY/VALUE: This is the first study that has applied Lean tools to improve the dispensing process in an inpatient pharmacy in Thai hospitals. This study offers important insights into the critical success factors of Lean employment in the inpatient pharmacy.
本文旨在说明如何使用精益工具来缩短住院患者的等候时间，并评估泰国公立医院住院药房实施精益的关键成功因素。
设计/方法/途径：本研究采用行动研究方法，分为四个关键阶段：问题识别、行动计划、实施行动和评估。在“实施行动”阶段，采用精益工具，包括价值流图和 5S，改进住院药房的配药流程。在“评估”阶段，由参与者评估住院药房实施精益的关键成功因素。
精益方法成功地应用于缩短三天剂量分配系统相关的等候时间。通过应用精益，平均处理时间从 8.81 分钟减少到 7.2 分钟，标准差从 5.49 分钟减少到 4.45 分钟。此外，中层管理和领导层的支持是住院药房实施精益的关键成功因素。
医院可以通过使用易于应用和使用的精益工具来改进配药流程。本研究适用于正在寻找药房服务或其他部门变革的医院管理者。
原创性/价值：这是首次在泰国医院应用精益工具来改善住院药房的配药流程。本研究为住院药房实施精益的关键成功因素提供了重要的见解。
