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Externalities of Lean Implementation in Medical Laboratories. Process Optimization vs. Adaptation and Flexibility for the Future

Author

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  • Simona Andreea Apostu

    (Department of Statistics and Econometric, Faculty of Cybernetics, Statistics and Economic Informatics, Bucharest University of Economic Studies, 010552 Bucharest, Romania
    Institute of National Economy-Romanian Academy, 050711 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Valentina Vasile

    (Institute of National Economy-Romanian Academy, 050711 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Cristina Veres

    (Industrial Engineering and Management Department, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania)

Abstract

Important in testing services in medical laboratories is the creation of a flexible balance between quality-response time and minimizing the cost of the service. Beyond the different Lean methods implemented so far in the medical sector, each company can adapt the model according to its needs, each company has its own specifics and organizational culture, and Lean implementation will have a unique approach. Therefore, this paper aims to identify the concerns of specialists and laboratory medical services sector initiatives in optimizing medical services by implementing the Lean Six Sigma method in its various variants: a comparative analysis of the implemented models, with emphasis on measuring externalities and delimiting trends in reforming/modernizing the method, a comprehensive approach to the impact of this method implementation, and an analysis of available databases in order to underline the deficit and information asymmetry. The results highlighted that in the case of clinical laboratories, the Lean Six Sigma method is conducive to a reduction of cases of diagnostic errors and saves time but also faces challenges and employees’ resistance in implementation.

Suggested Citation

  • Simona Andreea Apostu & Valentina Vasile & Cristina Veres, 2021. "Externalities of Lean Implementation in Medical Laboratories. Process Optimization vs. Adaptation and Flexibility for the Future," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(23), pages 1-22, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:23:p:12309-:d:685975
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