First evidences from "lean & safety" projects

Purpose - No studies in the academic literature have yet focused on the relation between healthcare lean management (HLM) and clinical risk management (CRM) to enhance multiple aspects of performance although the possibility of implementing “lean & safety” projects has been highlighted. The purpose of this research is to investigate the significant features that characterize these projects: organizational aspects, phases and activities, tools, techniques, practices and key factors for successful implementation. Design and methodology - Two significant projects have been selected from the same Italian hospital in two different fields of application. Within and cross-case analyses have been performed to obtain useful findings. Findings - The results suggest that HLM can provide support for CRM and an integrated methodology should be considered. The first indications concerning how this new synergistic methodology may be developed are provided and these should stimulate future research, testing and exploiting the methodology in other contexts. Originality - From the results of this research, guidelines for the implementation of a “lean & safety” project could be developed to improve the management of clinical processes pursuing multiple objectives. This study could contribute to the development of safer and more sustainable health care systems for the benefit of the entire community.