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Research Article: Revisiting lean healthcare: adopting value stream mapping from manufacturing

Date Published: 2025-09-04

Abstract:
The application of lean thinking in healthcare has gained momentum in recent years, yet its implementation continues to face persistent challenges. Among these, staff resistance and conceptual misalignment between industrial principles and clinical environments remain significant barriers. This study argues that these issues stem not from the failure of lean theory itself, but from a flawed translation of lean tools, particularly Value Stream Mapping (VSM), from manufacturing to healthcare. To address this, we propose a systematic translation model that redefines key VSM elements (e.g., customer, inventory, takt time) in a way that aligns with the operational realities of outpatient care. The model is empirically validated through two case studies conducted in Saudi Arabia: an ophthalmology clinic and a dental clinic. By applying translated VSM tools, both clinics achieved substantial reductions in and patient waiting time, without compromising value-added care. The findings support the efficacy of contextualized lean implementation and provide healthcare managers with a practical framework for operational improvement. This study contributes to bridging the gap between lean theory and its real-world application in clinical settings.

Introduction:
Healthcare systems worldwide are under increasing pressure to deliver high-quality care efficiently, especially in outpatient settings where patient volumes are high and resources are often limited. In response to these challenges, many healthcare institutions have adopted industrial improvement methodologies such as Lean thinking to optimize processes and eliminate inefficiencies. Originally developed by Toyota for automotive manufacturing, Lean has gained traction in various healthcare domains due to its focus…

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