Authors
Somayeh Anisi, Sima Marzban, Ehsan Zarei, Mohammad Mahdi Sepehri
Publication date
2017/1/1
Journal
IIOAB Journal
Volume
8
Issue
1
Pages
27-32
Description
Introduction
Value stream mapping is one of the most important and useful tools of lean thinking to determine non-value adding activities and improve service delivery process. The present study aimed to identify improvement opportunities in visit process in the gynecology clinic using value stream mapping.
Methods
This was a descriptive case study. In this study, flowchart of outpatient visit was drawn through observation and confirmed by semi-structured individual interviews with those involved in this process. Current value stream map was drawn and discussed in a focus group discussion. Various types of wastes, root causes and elimination strategies were evaluated. Then, future value stream map was drawn using Edraw.
Result
Only 20% of current value stream map of outpatient visit in the gynecology clinic consisted of value adding activities. The patients spent between 79% and 85.2% of their time on waiting depending on type of the patients. The number of value adding steps increased from 20% to 33% while the number of non-value adding steps reduced from 73.3 to 33% in future value stream map.
Conclusion
most wastes in outpatient visit process in the genecology clinic can be detected and compensated by minimal costs. This requires scientific tools like lean thinking [eg value stream mapping] for process improvement.
Total citations
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