A lean approach for improving medicines management in Australia's first cardiac hospital inventory system

Medicines are the cornerstone of healthcare. Lean methodology approach such as Value Stream Mapping (VSM) is being used in healthcare to manage resources wisely to ensure sustainability of medicines and resources. The aim of this quality improvement study was to evaluate and improve the medication management and hospital imprest supply processes in Australia's first dedicated cardiology hospital using VSM.

We conducted a review of our medicine supply processes at a 180-bed cardiology hospital in Australia. We followed a lean methodology approach over a 4-month period from February to May 2023 and evaluated the outcome of our improvements for another 4 months from July to October 2023. We used VSM to identify non-value adding activities. Cost of medicines holding was calculated, as well as time taken to complete supply processes, pre and post.

Pharmacy department stockholdings reduced by 51%; p = 0.000121 (from $539,662 to $275,406). Time taken to manage the inventory system also reduced by 42%; p = 0.025762 (from 148 h/month to 62 h/month). Lean methodology such as VSM can facilitate cost-effective and sustainable system improvements for pharmacy procurement systems.