Application of lean management systems in pathology laboratory work process and laboratory environment

The purpose of this paper is to design a future value stream map of the system and pathology laboratory process with lean health care application tools in terms of quality improvement in order to decrease the non-value-added activities for pathology unit in a public hospital based in Istanbul, Turkey. This paper aims to decrease waiting time, sample rejection, mistake, manual processes, and disorders as well as increase the suitability of laboratory environment and work safety. Data are collected from personal observations, information technologies unit, and authorized employees. In order to measure sub-processes, some qualitative data are transformed into quantitative data via authorized employees' experiences. Moreover, data tracking and keeping systems are too poor for revealing the current situation. The current value stream map of the system of the radiology department of a public education and research hospital was analyzed and the future value stream map of the system and pathology pathway was redesigned with lean health care application tools in terms of quality improvement. The greatest limitation is the resistant to change and fear of talking on mistakes and low performances. This paper states an example of a current and future value stream map showing systematically where the bottlenecks are and how these can be improved and what specific benefits will this analysis bring to the health care system. It will be useful for both academicians and practitioners on how to apply lean to health care.