Experience of implementing lean thinking in an Indian healthcare institution

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to document the experience and impact of implementing lean thinking (LT) in an Indian healthcare institution. Design/methodology/approach: A detailed review of literature documenting the experience of implementing LT in healthcare institutions is carried out. Review revealed that there is a dearth of documentation on implementation of LT in Indian healthcare institutions. To address this gap, the experience of implementing LT in an Indian case hospital is documented by adopting a single case study research methodology. Findings: Lean practices adopted by the Indian case hospital are documented. Performance measures before and after implementation of lean practices in the case hospital are compared. Based on this experience, a framework for implementing LT is proposed for healthcare institutions. Research limitations/implications: The current study documents the experience of an Indian case hospital, which is only at its initial stages of LT implementation. Future studies can be undertaken to assess the long-term impact of implementing LT in a healthcare institution. Similarly, the proposed framework for implementing LT can be validated by using the same in different healthcare institutions. Practical implications: Review of lean principles, practices and performance measures discussed in the literature on implementing LT in healthcare institutions can act as a ready reckoner for practitioners. Framework proposed based on the experience of the case hospital is expected to guide healthcare practitioners in their lean journey. Originality/value: This study is unique, as it documents the experience of implementing LT in an Indian healthcare institution and proposes a framework for implementing LT for future validation.