Using technology solutions to streamline healthcare processes for nursing: the case of an intelligent operational planning support tool (IOPST) solution

Identifying the value stream relating to healthcare processes primarily focuses around diagnosing and treating patients coupled with removing waste. This is now becoming a key priority for many healthcare organisations globally, yet remains an area that is significantly under researched especially with regard to nursing. Lean thinking, as a method to redesign processes in order to improve outcomes has been used with success especially in the manufacturing sector, and now, given the importance of identifying and creating value in healthcare processes, is becoming of increasing interest within various healthcare contexts. In this chapter, we discuss how lean thinking as a management approach, with focuses on operational aspects, can be used to facilitate effective and efficient nursing care. We illustrate with the example of an Intelligent Operational Planning Support Tool (IOPST) solution.