Lean maturity and quality in primary care

• Purpose – The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to describe Lean maturity in primary care using aquestionnaire based on Liker’s description of Lean, complemented with observations; and second, todetermine the extent to which Lean maturity is associated with quality of care measured as staff-ratedsatisfaction with care and adherence to national guidelines (NG). High Lean maturity indicates adoption of allLean principles throughout the organization and by all staff.Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected using a survey based on Liker’s four principles,divided into 16 items (n ¼ 298 staff in 45 units). Complementary observations (n ¼ 28 staff ) were carried out atfour units.Findings – Lean maturity varied both between and within units. The highest Lean maturity was found for“adhering to routines” and the lowest for “having a change agent at the unit.” Lean maturity was positivelyassociated with satisfaction with care and with adherence to NG to improve healthcare quality.Practical implications – Quality of primary care may benefit from increasing Lean maturity.When implementing Lean, managers could benefit from measuring and adopting Lean maturity repeatedly,addressing all Liker’s principles and using the results as guidance for further development.Originality/value – This is one of the first studies to evaluate Lean maturity in primary care, addressing allLiker’s principles from the perspective of quality of care. The results suggest that repeated actions based onevaluations of Lean maturity may help to improve quality of care.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Hälso- och sjukvårdsorganisation, hälsopolitik och hälsoekonomi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Health Care Service and Management, Health Policy and Services and Health Economy (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Lean principles

Observations

Qualitative

Healthcare

Liker

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)