Improving Clinical Laboratory Quality through Reduction of Tests’ Turnaround Time in Democratic Republic of the Congo: Key Strategies

In Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the laboratory TAT is significantly very long and do not comply with either international standards or the suggestions of customers. However, there is neither a national nor a local strategy to improve the laboratory TAT. The aim of the present study is to develop practical management strategies to shorten clinical laboratory tests’ TAT. This was a qualitative study conducted in Kinshasa. Focus groups and Lean tools were used respectively to generate a wide range of views from a variety of laboratory staff and to eliminate several form of waste in the laboratory flow process. Based on the identified root causes of delay, focus groups participants reported that there is a lot of scope for the improvement of TAT in DRC. Consistent attendance and punctuality are essential. The hospital management should implement the Laboratory Information Systems (LIS) and install Middleware. Total laboratory automation, inventory system for all reagents and supplies used in the laboratory, expansion of the sampling area, sufficient number of high-power machine and a clear job description are indispensable. LIS, 3.5 mL BD vacutainer BarricorTM tube and point-of-care testing (POCT) are necessary for workflow improvement. A reduction of 312 minutes was achieved by eliminating or decreasing non-value-added activities. Applying the suggested key strategies, and particularly the new workflow process, is a basis for improving the laboratory tests’ TAT. The algorithm presented can be easily implemented in other laboratories that face this type of problem.

A Framework Analysis for Lean Transformation: A Case Study of a Public Utility in Greece

Purpose: Nowadays, the worldwide economic recession has created numerous challenges in the Public Sector of Greece, which in turn affect the sustainability of public enterprises. Overall, there is a high pressure to increase productivity and reduce operating costs. The need to adapt to the new environment is pushing public organizations to implement Lean Management strategies in accordance with Private Sector standards. However, the limited budget, public deficits and debts, bureaucratic culture, political dependence and lack of transparency present several issues. These pose a serious threat to successful implementation of Lean practices in the long-run. Lack of relevant research and dichotomous role of public service organizations make this study very interesting. This research paper is aiming at exploring and highlighting the impact of the most important Critical Success Factors (CSFs) for the effective integration of Lean Management principles in Public Utility organizations in Greece by combining bibliographic research and empirical—with the quantitative method-research through case studies. Research Methodology: The research method combines bibliographic research and empirical—with the quantitative method. Quantitative method was employed on a sufficient sample of public employees from two of the largest public companies of Greece: Public Power Corporation (PPC S.A.) and Athens Water Supply and Sewerage Company (EYDAP S.A.) in order to investigate the impact of the most important CSFs on successful Lean Transformation of them. Findings: Quantitative findings from this research illustrated that the most important CSFs that have a positive impact on successful Lean Transformation on Greek public organizations/utilities are: Effective Communication, flexible Organizational Infrastructure, Customer Focus, Linking Lean to Suppliers, Business Plan and Vision, competent Change Management, Top Management Support and Commitment, Training and Education, as well as Selection of Staff. On the contrary, the existence of a bureaucratic Organizational Culture has a negative effect on successful integration of Lean Management. Limitations: Important limitations of this study are the utilization of a convenience sample and the strict focus on Greek public organizations operating in a competitive environment.

The Impact of Lean Transformation on the Organizational Performance: The Case of Public Utilities in Greece

Purpose: Lean Management concerns a strategy or philosophy aiming at saving resource practices and curtailment of public expenses, with ultimate objective of the enhancement of the organizational performance. By extension, the successful integration of the Lean Management leads to positive organizational results, such as higher quality, along with improved financial, environmental and business market performance. Although a lot of studies related to the effect of Lean production on the organizational performance have been conducted, empirical findings that examine the case of the public sector are absent. Additionally, there is no precise mechanism through which the Lean Management determines the organizational performance of the public utility companies. The above mentioned research gap is examined with this research, given that it investigates the influence of the Successful Lean Management on the Organizational Performance (Environmental Performance, Financial Performance, Business Performance) in public utilities in Greece. Research Methodology: The research method combines bibliographic research and empirical—with quantitative method—through a case study. More specifically, via quantitative approach, which was based on sample research with standardized questionnaire, performed in two of the biggest and most important public utilities in Greece, the Public Power Corporation S.A. (PPC S.A.) and the Athens Water Supply and Sewerage Company (EYDAP S.A). Findings: Quantitative findings from this illustrated that the successful transformation towards the Lean principles/saving resources affects positively the Business Market Performance, the Environmental and the Financial Performance. Limitations: Main restrictions of the current study are the capitalization of random sample and the strict focus on Greek public utilities that function under conditions of competition. Consequently, whichever generalizations for the whole Public Sector as well as for businesses of the private sector it would be better to be avoided, as they differ concerning their structural and functional features and their organizational culture.