The use of lean technologies to optimize operating unit of a major Federal center – N. N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology of the Ministry of Health of Russia

Introduction. Various scientific studies are carried out all over the world aimed at solving issues related to the availability and improvement of the quality of medical care to the population through various measures aimed at improving the integration and coordination of production and technological processes in medical organizations. In our previous works, the key methods for optimizing the operation of the operating unit were outlined, and efficiency was demonstrated with justification for the introduction of methods into the work of not only the operating unit, but also the unit involved in preoperative preparation, but the period for evaluating performance indicators was 1 year. Therefore, the study was continued in the period 2017–2021.

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the practical implementation of the lean technology methodology in the operation of the operational unit.

Materials. Statistical data on the results of work of surgical departments of the Research Institute of Clinical Oncology of N. N. Blokhin National Research Medical Center of the Ministry of Health of the Russia for 2017–2021.

Results. The expansion of the staff, the active use of all operating rooms, the rational distribution of medical equipment and instruments, the change in the work plan of departments and the routing of surgical patients allowed not only to increase the flow of patients, but also to achieve world standards when planning the operation of the operating unit. Using the example of a progressive increase in the number of operations at the Research Institute of Clinical Oncology from 10 470 in 2017 to 15 140 in 2021, as well as the example of individual surgical departments (surgery departments No. 15, plastic surgery departments), it is possible to trace the process of successful optimization.

Conclusion. An example of the development and application of lean technologies in the operating unit of the N. N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology of the Ministry of Health of Russia makes it possible to conclude that a competent approach to optimizing the unit is necessary, which can be achieved in a relatively short time by increasing productivity. Lean technologies have helped to significantly reduce the preoperative bedday, significantly increase the productivity of the operating unit, and as a result, increase the number of surgical interventions performed at the center.