In their comprehensive study, Mendes and França (2025) present a systematic literature review (SLR) published in the International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, exploring the application of Lean thinking in the context of risk management within healthcare organizations. This groundbreaking work addresses the pressing challenges faced by healthcare systems, such as escalating costs, inefficiencies, and risks to patient and employee safety, by analyzing how Lean management principles can mitigate these issues. The study not only consolidates existing knowledge but also identifies critical research gaps, offering a roadmap for future investigations to enhance healthcare quality and safety.
The article’s primary contributions are manifold. First, it identifies five key research streams: (1) risk management focused on patient safety, (2) risk management oriented toward employee safety, (3) the role of attitudes and behaviors in risk mitigation, (4) Lean tools applied in healthcare risk management, and (5) integration of Lean with other management approaches. These streams highlight how Lean methodologies, such as Lean Six Sigma, value stream mapping, and failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA), have been instrumental in reducing risks, improving service efficiency, and enhancing patient and employee safety. For instance, studies reviewed demonstrate significant reductions in preoperative hospital stays, waiting times, and healthcare-associated infections through Lean interventions.
Second, the review underscores practical implications for healthcare management, emphasizing the importance of multidisciplinary teamwork, employee involvement, and cultural change to sustain Lean initiatives. It highlights how Lean approaches can align organizational goals with safety improvements, fostering open communication and reducing adverse events. The integration of Lean with clinical risk management (CRM) is noted as a promising strategy to achieve safer, more efficient, and patient-centered care.
Finally, the study identifies critical research gaps, including the limited exploration of Lean in non-hospital healthcare settings, insufficient focus on employee safety, and the lack of longitudinal studies to assess the sustainability of Lean outcomes. It also calls for further investigation into the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in enhancing Lean-based risk management, addressing resistance from healthcare professionals, and developing measurement scales to evaluate Lean strategy efficiency.
This SLR is a vital resource for healthcare administrators, researchers, and policymakers seeking to implement Lean thinking to improve risk management and service quality. By synthesizing the state of the art and proposing a robust research agenda, Mendes and França pave the way for advancing Lean culture in healthcare, ultimately contributing to safer and more efficient systems.
Reference
Mendes, L., & França, G. (2025). Lean thinking and risk management in healthcare organizations: A systematic literature review and research agenda. International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, 42(3), 851-892. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJQRM-06-2023-0210
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