Lean methodology use and nurses’ perception in the context of health management: a scoping review

TL;DR

This scoping review explores how nurses use Lean methodology in healthcare and their overall satisfaction with it.

Contribution

The study provides a comprehensive overview of Lean methodology applications in nursing across various healthcare settings.

Findings

Lean methodology was used in emergency flows, service management, and clinical units by nurses.

Most studies reported nurse satisfaction with Lean methodology implementation.

Lack of resources was identified as a barrier to using Lean methodology in nursing processes.

Abstract

to identify the use of the Lean methodology by nurses and their perceptions.

scoping review. The data search was conducted in the National Library of Medicine (PubMed), Web of Science, Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences (LILACS), and Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO) databases between September 2023 and May 2024. Primary and secondary studies, reviews, and randomized trials published in Portuguese, Spanish, or English, available in full with free remote access, with no deadline, were included.

of 1,346 studies, 15 were included. The Lean methodology was identified in emergency flows (n=3), service management (n=5), Clinical Inpatient Units (n=3), Surgical Center (n=1), Intensive Care Units (n=1), Oncology (n=1), and Home Care Units (n=1).

nurses use the Lean methodology, demonstrating satisfaction in most studies. A negative influence was observed related to the lack of resources for the use of the Lean methodology in nursing processes.

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