Assessing the impact of Lean Healthcare on the facilities management department in a primary care center

Abstract

This study assesses the implementation of Lean Healthcare in the Facilities Maintenance Department of a primary care center in Mexico, aiming to enhance the technical staff’s responsiveness to maintenance requests. A seven-month pilot project was carried out, applying tools and techniques such as 5S, process mapping, and visual management. To assess post-implementation outcomes, 200 structured surveys were conducted, focusing on key areas such as request process efficiency, communication, coordination, and staff satisfaction. The intervention led to notable improvements, including a reduction in response time from 48 to 33.6 hours, a decrease in total technician travel distance from 801 to 211.5 meters, and an increase in response capacity from 65% to 87%. The survey had an 81% response rate, reflecting a generally positive perception of Lean practices (α ≥ 0.799). These findings confirm that Lean Healthcare is effective in optimizing maintenance processes in the healthcare sector. However, achieving sustained performance and future success requires strengthening organizational culture, encouraging active staff involvement, and establishing continuous monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.