Experience of strategic sessions to improve the quality of lean technology implementation in medical organizations in Krasnodar Krai: a one-stage observational study

Abstract

Background. Lean production is mainly focused on increasing value in processes and improving the quality of services provided. These principles are implemented in medical organizations within the framework of the national project “Healthcare” and the federal project “Development of the Primary Healthcare System”. Introduction of lean technologies at all levels of the organization can serve as a highly effective method of positive changes. In 2023, Kuban State Medical University, together with the Ministry of Health of Krasnodar Krai and the Regional Center for Primary Healthcare, held a strategic session aimed at identifying problematic processes in medical organizations of the region and jointly searching for ways to solve them. The session involved 73 primary healthcare organizations. Its results formed the basis for a study of the project activity of medical organizations. Objective. To analyze the current state of project activities of medical organizations in Krasnodar Krai to achieve a “new model” through the introduction of lean technologies.Methods. A one-stage observational study was carried out in two steps. The first step involved participant observation. Its results determined a set of tools to be compiled. The second step of the study included a questionnaire survey and analysis of information. The data obtained from the questionnaire survey and observation were coded, the distribution and frequency were identified using frequency analysis and calculation of mean values. The qualitative analysis of open-ended questions was additionally applied.Results. The analysis showed that the prevailing number of projects are aimed at forming and developing the availability of medical care for the population (50.6 %), including projects focused on inclusiveness and provision of medical care to low-mobility patients at home. It was also revealed that 42 projects in four areas are planned for implementation in 47 organizations using lean technology tools in 2024. The study showed that 91.49 % of projects failed to calculate financial efficiency and evaluate project results in monetary terms. Meanwhile, 8.51 % of those who carried out the efficiency calculations lacked an analysis methodology and revealed the superficiality of the calculations. Of all the participants, 53.19 % reported the need for help in organizing and implementing project activities, and 36.17 % of the participants had enough resources to cope on their own. The three most problematic processes requiring joint work with colleagues included “Reducing the wait times for healthcare in regional medical organizations,” “Registration of discounted prescriptions” and “Preventive medical examination and dispensary.”Conclusion. The experience of a strategic session at Kuban State Medical University proved to be effective in improving the quality of implementation of lean technologies in medical organizations of Krasnodar Krai. The study was instrumental in assessing the current state of the project activities of medical organizations to achieve a “new model” through the introduction of lean technologies, as well as in identifying the most common areas of project activities and the main problems. The performed analysis revealed a positive trend in improving the quality of work of medical organizations in Krasnodar Krai and disseminating the lean technologies in primary healthcare.