Title: Application of lean techniques and simulation to improve efficiency of the oncology department

Authors: Sergio Fichera; Antonio Costa; Roberto Rosario Corsini; Vincenzo Parrinello

Addresses: DICAR Department, University of Catania, Viale Andrea Doria, 6, Catania 95125, Italy ' DICAR Department, University of Catania, Viale Andrea Doria, 6, Catania 95125, Italy ' Department of Physics, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia, 64, Catania 95123, Italy ' U.O. Qualità e Rischio Clinico, AOUP 'G. Rodolico - San Marco' of Catania, Via S. Sofia, 78, Catania 95123, Italy

Abstract: In this paper a novel perspective of lean application on the specific case of the oncology units was studied. The oncology department of a hospital located in the Southern Italy was investigated to find lean improvement solutions. In according with the well-known lean philosophy, we have followed the DMAIC cycle (define - measure - analyse - improve - control). A discrete event simulator properly integrated with the value stream map tool, (hereinafter denoted as DVSM) was devised to improve the service level of the oncology department, under the objective of increasing the patients' satisfaction. To this end, a design of experiments (DOE) involving several management factors has been developed and 72 future dynamic value stream maps (FDVSMs) have been evaluated accordingly. The ANOVA analysis allowed to statistically infer about the impact of all factors on the system and to identify the best FDVSM.

Keywords: value stream map; VSM; discrete event simulation; DES; oncology; design of experiments; DOE.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSOM.2023.129046

International Journal of Services and Operations Management, 2023 Vol.44 No.2, pp.270 - 292

Received: 10 Sep 2020
Accepted: 10 Jan 2021
Published online: 16 Feb 2023 *

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