Enhancing Capacity Planning through Lean Principles and Simulation: A Case Study of a Local Hospital in Thailand

Healthcare improvement is complicated and has become public concern in Thailand during the past decade. The purpose of this research project is to improve the quality of healthcare and patient satisfaction utilizing Lean principles. This research is conducted in a middle-sized Pluakdaeng hospital in Rayong, Thailand where there are approximately 364 patients daily under the supervision of 6 doctors, 6 pharmacists, 53 nurses and 124 supportive staffs. In Lean studies, computer simulation and Value Stream Mapping (VSM) are utilized to define and eliminate wastes in the hospital business process. Findings indicate that service rate at the hospital can be increased to 28.98% and the average patient waiting time can be reduced to 28.65%. Future work, improvements, limitations and suggestions on the current research are also provided and discussed.