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Lean Healthcare

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Operations Research Applications in Health Care Management

Part of the book series: International Series in Operations Research & Management Science ((ISOR,volume 262))

Abstract

Ever since the concept of lean was introduced in the manufacturing environment in Toyota Company; the ever-growing applications of this technique in other fields has been the subject of many studies. Healthcare environment is one of such fields in which the applications of lean tools are increasingly studied. In this chapter, the lean management techniques, their applications in the healthcare systems and how they can improve the performance of these systems by providing better patient service, better utilization of assets, and better patient care; are discussed. Furthermore, operational and strategic challenges faced in this sector are introduced. Additionally, the application of operations research tools in lean healthcare is explained. Finally, the practicality of lean healthcare and utilizing the lean concepts and tools in the healthcare sector is demonstrated through reviewing some case studies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Industrial Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

    S. Ali Torabi, Shirin Haddad Pour & Nafiseh Shamsi G.

Authors
  1. S. Ali Torabi
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  2. Shirin Haddad Pour
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  3. Nafiseh Shamsi G.
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Correspondence to S. Ali Torabi .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Industrial Engineering, Istanbul Technical University, Macka, Istanbul, Turkey

    Cengiz Kahraman

  2. Department of Industrial Engineering, Istanbul Technical University, Macka, Istanbul, Turkey

    Y. Ilker Topcu

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Torabi, S.A., Pour, S.H., Shamsi G., N. (2018). Lean Healthcare. In: Kahraman, C., Topcu, Y. (eds) Operations Research Applications in Health Care Management. International Series in Operations Research & Management Science, vol 262. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-65455-3_21

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