The Lund University Hospital is introducing a new method of working since 2007, known as “Lean Healthcare”. It has been used internationally in health care for seven-eight years now, with very good results, and is spreading rapidly.
The basis of Lean Healthcare is that the employees themselves develop their work as a natural part of the job. In the case of health care, this involves learning what it is that really benefits the patients, what it is that creates added value. Anything that does not benefit the patients is to be removed.
The role of managers also changes under Lean Healthcare. Their most important task becomes that of creating activities with everimproving quality, productivity and employee satisfaction.
We have already witnessed good results from our Lean Healthcare pilot projects, and have been able to improve quality for the patients and save time for our employees.