LEAN AND SAFETY MANAGEMENT IN CHRONIC HEALTHCARE: A PROJECT FROM A SPANISH HOSPITAL

Improving the quality of management of chronic diseases has become a priority for healthcare systems. One promising approach is the application of lean and safety management in healthcare demonstrating its potential to increase the quality of care; In this context, the lack of continuity and coordination with territorial care still represents an obstacle for chronic pathways. In order to test a new methodology a project to implement Lean and Safety management in chronic care was realized. This thesis reports the project host in a Spanish hospital in collaboration with the University of Padova and Comillas (ICADE-ICAI) University on the analysis and reorganization of a chronic pathway (COPD), considering both processes inside and outside the hospital boundaries. The above methodology is used as a framework for the development of the project, encompassing each phase and activity and offering recommendations for the adoption of tools and practices. This project represent one of the first attempts to implement a new integrated methodology aimed at improving chronic care pathways. It actually represent an innovative contribution with scientific, managerial and social implications.