Introducing the “5S-KAIZEN-TQM” approach into public hospitals in Egypt
International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance
ISSN: 0952-6862
Article publication date: 30 December 2019
Issue publication date: 15 January 2020
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify how the introduction and dissemination of the 5S-KAIZEN-TQM approach positively influence the Egyptian health sector and its sustainability. It also seeks to encourage effective and efficient introduction of the 5S-KAIZEN-TQM approach into the health sectors of low- and middle-income countries.
Design/methodology/approach
The pilot program introducing the 5S-KAIZEN-TQM approach into five Egyptian public hospitals spanned over 13 months from January 2016 to February 2017. During the pilot program, a series of interventions occurred to introduce the approach, such as seminars on the 5S and KAIZEN approach, consultation visits and progress report meetings. Data and information were collected through conducting interviews, observing directly and evaluating the implementation progress of 5S-KAIZEN-TQM activities.
Findings
The study identified the following factors in effective and efficient dissemination of 5S-KAIZEN-TQM activities in the Egyptian health sector: restructuring the quality management structure to establish Quality Improvement Teams and Work Improvement Teams in hospitals, generating strong leadership and commitment among leaders, conducting effective in-house trainings on the 5S-KAIZEN-TQM approach, monitoring and following up on 5S-KAIZEN-TQM activities and introducing the 5S-KAIZEN-TQM approach using non-clinical sections, which could also influence the sustainability of the activities.
Originality/value
This study holds value in its clarification of meaningful ways to disseminate and encourage the sustainability of the 5S-KAIZEN-TQM approach in Egyptian public health facilities. Moreover, officials from the Ministry of Health and Population and hospital managers in Egypt can use the findings to plan and disseminate this approach nationwide.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors thank all who contributed to completing this study, especially the GDQ at the MoHP in Egypt. Without this strong support, it would not have been possible to commence the pilot program introducing the 5S-KAIZEN-TQM approach, which included a series of interventions, including seminars, consultation visits and progress report meetings. The authors would also like to give special thanks to the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for funding this pilot program through the Health Cooperation Planning Survey in Egypt.
Citation
Ishijima, H., Nishikido, K., Teshima, M., Nishikawa, S. and Gawad, E.A. (2020), "Introducing the “5S-KAIZEN-TQM” approach into public hospitals in Egypt", International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, Vol. 33 No. 1, pp. 89-109. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJHCQA-06-2018-0143
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited