Operational aspects of lean thinking
On an operational level, standard organizing tools like value
stream mapping and 5S are available to create value (for an
overview see reference [10]). Application of these instruments
seems reasonably straightforward and they are discussed
in most papers on lean thinking. Using them,
hospitals have reduced waste in inventory, reduced waiting
times (WTs) and improved productivity [15–17]. In some
cases, these process improvements directly contributed to
better quality care. In better organized wards for example,
complications and infections may go down [18].