Improving care efficiency in a radiotherapy center using Lean philosophy: A case study of the proton therapy center of Institut Curie — Orsay

In the field of health care, as in production or services, there is a need for tailor made methodology to help managers improving quality of care as well as efficiency of the organization. Quality Improvement (QI) has become a major preoccupation in the current context where hospitals and health care services need to provide a high level of care and a welcoming environment for patients while reducing costs and maintaining a pleasant work atmosphere for staff. In this paper we present how, with very few adaptation to the local culture, the principles of Lean Thinking combined to the well known DMAIC from Six-Sigma can be applied to improve the efficiency of a French therapy center for cancer treatment. We then discuss how this methodology could be generalized to a larger structure such as a teaching hospital.