Using a Lean Perspective to Explore the Impact of the Built Environment and Operations on the Retention of Patients

Using a Lean Perspective to Explore the Impact of the Built Environment and Operations on the Retention of Patients in an Outpatient Care Delivery Setting: Improving Efficiency as a Strategy to Increase Capacity

This article discusses how lean design principles have been used to improve operations of an outpatient clinic for treatment of HIV and AIDS. Observational studies, value stream mapping, and utilization analyses were used to assess patient flow and services within the clinic, and findings were used to identify how the built environment can be modified to improve patient care and operations of this facility.

keywords: patient-centered medical home, clinic redesign, efficiency, primary care, HIV/AIDS