A Blueprint for Streamlining Patient Pathways Using a Hybrid Lean Management Approach

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Process Improvement
• Clinical Operations

Background:

• Streamlining patient pathways in healthcare is challenging.
• Clinician-led improvement ideas often face adoption barriers.

Purpose of the Study:

• Provide a blueprint for frontline clinicians to develop business cases for streamlined pathways.
• Guide the practical implementation of these streamlined pathways.

Main Methods:

• Outlines a 7-step process for pathway streamlining.
• Integrates Lean management techniques (e.g., value stream mapping, Pareto charts) and other methods (e.g., audits, patient surveys, cost analysis).

Main Results:

• Demonstrates statistically significant reductions in referral-to-treatment time, pathway steps, and lead time.
• Achieved improvements in patient contact time, satisfaction, and cost reduction through pathway optimization.

Conclusions:

• Presents a comprehensive blueprint for streamlining patient pathways using Lean and complementary methods.
• Enables sustainable change by empowering frontline clinicians to implement quality improvement initiatives.
• Highlights benefits for patients, providers, and the overall health economy.