The Study Of Quality Improvement By Applying The Lean Approach: Survey And Case Studies Of Hospitals In Thailand

Abstract

Background and Aim: This research aims to investigate the adoption level of the Lean production system in hospitals in Thailand and to study the strategic approach to successfully implementing Lean in hospitals in Thailand.

Materials and Methods: This study is a mixed-method research study using questionnaires to survey the level of Lean adoption in hospitals in Thailand and in-depth interviews to research the strategic approach for successfully implementing Lean in hospitals in Thailand. The questionnaire was validated by hospital quality improvement experts. The survey received 160 complete responses, and two hospitals participated in the in-depth interviews.

Results: The quantitative results revealed that most hospitals in Thailand have adopted Lean in only some parts of the hospital. Notably, the Regional hospital group showed the highest average level of Lean adoption. The study's findings suggest that leadership, staff involvement, and perception are critical factors for successful Lean implementation in hospitals in Thailand.

Conclusion: Most hospitals in Thailand implement Lean at the medium level. For successful Lean implementation in hospitals in Thailand, the approach for them is integrating three factors: leadership, staff, and perception. Moreover, 'Perception' is one of the key factors in lean implementation, so Perception-Control Theory (PCT) in Lean implementation in hospitals should be studied further.