Lean processes improve surgical wait times at VA hospital

Editor's Note

Implementation of Lean system redesigns was associated with a significant and sustained wait list reduction from 33.4 days to 12.0 days for patients waiting for elective general surgery procedures at a Veterans Affairs medical center, this study finds. The study covered FY 2012 to 2014.

At the same time, operative volume increased from 931 patients to 1,072; combined clinic, telehealth, and e-consultation encounters increased from 3,131 to 3,517; and the number of no-shows decreased from 366 to 227.

Multidisciplinary system redesigns using Lean principles can decrease patient wait times by addressing and correcting systemic inefficiencies, the authors conclude.

Question Can lean processes be used to improve patient wait times for surgical procedures in Veterans Affairs hospitals? Findings In this systematic review of institutional wait list data from fiscal years 2012 to 2014, the implementation of lean system redesigns was associated with a significant and sustained wait list reduction from 33.4 days to 12.0 days for patients waiting for elective general surgical procedures.