A literature review on Lean healthcare: implementation strategies, challenges, and future research directions

This study aimed to explore the implementation of Lean strategies in healthcare, evaluate the potential benefits, identify challenges, and highlight future research directions in the field by employing a concept-centric review bolstered by a concept analysis using Scopus and PubMed of 44 literature reviews retrieved regarding Lean healthcare implementations. The literature review consisted of five stages: formulation of guiding research questions, devising a strategic research methodology, establishing selection criteria, and categorizing and synthesizing the papers obtained. Findings indicate that Lean strategies offer the potential for improved patient outcomes, increased efficiency, and reduced costs. Besides, this work divides the main techniques into four clusters, grouping the most similar strategies: Process Evaluation and Improvement, Efficiency and Waste Reduction, Quality Assurance and Control, and Strategic Alignment and Planning. Nevertheless, findings also show that Lean healthcare implementation is not devoid of challenges, including resistance to change, the complexity of the application, and the sustainability of the implemented strategies. Healthcare organizations can utilize the findings to understand Lean strategies better, navigate potential implementation challenges, and align Lean principles with their strategic goals.