[Critical factors for optimising skill-grade-mix based on principles of Lean Management - a qualitative substudy]

Pflege. 2017 Jan;30(1):29-38. doi: 10.1024/1012-5302/a000511. Epub 2016 Nov 4.
[Article in German]

Abstract

Background: Due to scarce resources in health care, staff deployment has to meet the demands. To optimise skill-grade-mix, a Swiss University Hospital initiated a project based on principles of Lean Management. The project team accompanied each participating nursing department and scientifically evaluated the results of the project. Aim: The aim of this qualitative sub-study was to identify critical success factors of this project. Method: In four focus groups, participants discussed their experience of the project. Recruitment was performed from departments assessing the impact of the project retrospectively either positive or critical. In addition, the degree of direct involvement in the project served as a distinguishing criterion. Results: While the degree of direct involvement in the project was not decisive, conflicting opinions and experiences appeared in the groups with more positive or critical project evaluation. Transparency, context and attitude proved critical for the project’s success. Conclusions: Project managers should ensure transparency of the project’s progress and matching of the project structure with local conditions in order to support participants in their critical or positive attitude towards the project.

Keywords: Fokusgruppen; Health Resources; Innovation in Organisationen; Knowledge Mapping; Lean Healthcare; focus groups; health resources; knowledge mapping; lean healthcare; organisational innovation.

MeSH terms

  • Attitude of Health Personnel
  • Clinical Competence / economics*
  • Cost Savings / economics
  • Cost Savings / methods
  • Education / organization & administration
  • Focus Groups
  • Health Care Rationing / economics*
  • Health Care Rationing / organization & administration*
  • Hospitals, University / economics
  • Hospitals, University / organization & administration
  • Humans
  • National Health Programs / economics*
  • National Health Programs / organization & administration*
  • Nursing, Team / economics*
  • Nursing, Team / organization & administration*
  • Organizational Innovation / economics
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Switzerland