Adoption of Industry 4.0 and lean concepts in hospitals for healthcare operational performance improvement

Abstract

PurposeThis paper proposes the adoption of Industry 4.0 (I4) technologies and lean techniques for improving operational performance in the healthcare sector.Design/methodology/approachThe research adopted a systematic literature review and feedback of healthcare professionals to identify the inefficiencies in the current healthcare system. A questionnaire was used to get feedback from the patients and the hospital staff about the current practices and issues, and the expected impact of technology on existing practices. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis.FindingsThe results indicate that I4 technologies lead to the improvement of the operational performance, and the perceptions about I4 technologies are made through the pre-medical diagnosis. However, a weak correlation between lean practices and healthcare operational performance compared to that of I4 technologies and operational performance indicate that lean practices are not fully implemented in the Sri Lankan healthcare sector to their full potential.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is limited to two government hospitals, with insights from only the doctors and nurses in Sri Lanka. Furthermore, the study is limited to only selected aspects of I4 technologies (big data, cloud computing and IoT) and lean concepts (value stream mapping and 5S). Therefore, recommendations on the adoption of I4 technologies in the healthcare sector need to be made within the scope of the study investigation.Practical implicationsThe implementation of I4 technologies needs careful consideration of process improvement as part of the overall plan for achieving the maximum benefits of technology adoption.Originality/valueThe findings of the research can be used as a benchmark/guide for other hospitals to explore the adoption of I4 technologies, and how process improvement from lean concepts could influence the overall operational performance.

Effects of Lean Interventions Supported by Digital Technologies on Healthcare Services: A Systematic Review

“…Although LH interventions are reportedly used in healthcare systems in different contexts [ 65 ], we did not find evidence of LH interventions supported by technologies such as IoT, big data, virtual and augmented reality, fog/mobile computing, cloud computing, 3D printing, telemedicine, open-source software, or blockchain. Although technologies such as AI, big data, telehealth, and cloud computing have been implemented in healthcare [ 159 , 160 ], there is scarce evidence that these technologies support LH interventions. Thus, few DTs have been utilized to support LH, reflecting a low pervasiveness in different healthcare settings [ 49 ]; however, that seems to signal initial approaches to incorporating, in a staggered manner, extended and more complex types of DTs into LH interventions.…”

“…LH and DTs as a dual intervention entail significant technical and organizational challenges, including the reallocation of labor and equipment resources [ 124 ]. Such reorganization is needed to adapt the technology to social needs, including the beliefs and barriers of patients and caretakers [ 168 ], as well as cultural barriers, lack of awareness, and resource limitations [ 160 ]. Moreover, physicians’ resistance to change has been commonly reported when implementing lean interventions [ 169 , 170 , 171 ] due to the perception that lean interventions might target established medical practices [ 169 ].…”

Towards the Use of Big Data in Healthcare: A Literature Review

“…To accelerate digitalization, hospitals must invest in technology to automate processes and streamline operations, moving in two distinct directions: focusing on the organizational level (moving from episodic to coordinated care), where telemedicine is prioritized, and introducing digital solutions to enable new models of care (progressing toward personalized care and increasing the focus on prevention and wellness) [ 93 , 94 , 95 , 96 , 97 , 98 , 99 , 100 , 101 , 102 , 103 , 104 , 105 , 106 , 107 , 108 , 109 , 110 , 111 , 112 , 113 , 114 , 115 , 116 ].…”

“…The optimal use of resources has a critically important role for healthcare operators in assessing the quality of the healthcare service provided and also requires appropriate technologies to ensure the rational use of resources [107][108][109]. Benzidia et al (2021) claim that extracting new insights from existing volumes of structured and unstructured data related to medical treatments and products improves decision-making and enables a better understanding of each patient's costs [93,110].…”

Comparative Study of Lean Six Sigma Practices for Sustainability: A Blueprint for Post Covid-19 Pandemic

“…Adoption of 4.0 Industrial Revolution technologies is increasingly required in the healthcare industry (Ilangakoon et al, 2021). Notably, Malaysia as a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is regarded as a country that keeps up with the present industrial revolution in the healthcare business.…”