Application of VSM as a Lean Tool in a Healthcare Facility
M. A. Karim1, M. A. H. Mithu2, Tarequl Islam3, Nayan Bhowal4, Hadi Ahmed5
1M. A. Karim, Assistant Professor, Department of Industrial and Production Engineering, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet-3114, Bangladesh.
2M. A. H. Mithu, Department of Industrial & Production Engineering, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST), Sylhet, Bangladesh.
3Tarequl Islam, Department of Industrial & Production Engineering, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST), Sylhet, Bangladesh.
4Nayan Bhowal, Department of Industrial & Production Engineering, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST), Sylhet, Bangladesh.
5Hadi Ahmed, Department of Industrial & Production Engineering, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST), Sylhet, Bangladesh.
Manuscript received on 26 September 2023 | Revised Manuscript received on 10 November 2023 | Manuscript Accepted on 15 December 2023 | Manuscript published on 30 December 2023 | PP: 13-21 | Volume-13 Issue-2, December 2023 | Retrieval Number: 100.1/ijeat.B43311213223 | DOI: 10.35940/ijeat.B4331.1213223
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© The Authors. Blue Eyes Intelligence Engineering and Sciences Publication (BEIESP). This is an open access article under the CC-BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
Abstract: The healthcare industry can be termed as one of the most critical sectors of the economy. Healthcare industries are adopting lean management principles to maintain high-quality patient care, optimise workflow, and eliminate waste. Among the lean management tools, value stream mapping (VSM) is a key tool that uses a flowchart to depict, analyze, and improve the actions involved in the system. The study aims to model the system through value stream mapping to identify waste and non-value-adding activities in the processes, enabling the system to eliminate bottlenecks, constraints, and waste. Sylhet Women’s Medical College Hospital is chosen to conduct the study. The necessary data are collected through interviews with employees and patients in both outdoor and indoor departments, as well as through direct observation and review of previous records. eVSM software is used for creating current and future value stream maps. The total waiting time, processing time, and lead time of the processes in the outdoor departments and diagnostic centres of the hospital are measured and improved over the existing system in the proposed model of the value stream map. Although the proposed model cannot be implemented, it is clear from this study that VSM can ensure smooth healthcare service and enhance performance.
Keywords: Healthcare, Value Stream Mapping, e-VSM software, Lean Manufacturing.
Scope of the Article: Manufacturing Processes