5S System in Healthcare: An Islamic Point of View

Document Type : مقاله مروری نقلی

Authors
Sima Ajami 1
Farideh Movahedi 2
1 Associate Professor, Health Information Technology, Health Management and Economics Research Center, School of Medical Management and Information Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran (Corresponding Author) Email: ajami@mng.mui.ac.ir
2 Medical Library and Information Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
Abstract
Lean thinking requires certain techniques and tools to support lean processing and to penetrate an
organization in which 5S system (sorting, set in order, shining, standardization, sustaining) is to develop
value process workflow system. Kanban, a card containing a set of manufacturing specifications and
requirements used to regulate the supply of components, is one of the most famous and important lean
tools. 5S system is in fact a technique to minimize wastes in the workplace and thereby can establish a
better environment, a better communication, optimize productivity and eventually provides a general 5S
system in the organization. 5S system has been founded in the West and was developed in Japan and
evolved all around the world. Development and acceptance of 5S system in various countries with
different cultures indicates that the concepts of this system are compatible with a variety of cultures. There
are some lessons and doctrines in Islam and Iranian national culture which are compatible with the 5S
system and can facilitate the acceptance of this system. Lean processing emphasizes on performing the
best well-organized task in the most appropriate place and in the first opportunity to reduce waste and
optimize the processes in line with the customer’s needs. Industrial societies have long used lean
management to improve their processes. In addition, arrival of lean management in healthcare system had
significant impacts on management structure and providing healthcare services. Healthcare system can
remarkably improve its performance through implementing the lean management system and provide the
services in a just-in-time (JIT) and an optimized level for the clients. This new approach system has been
established as a cultural strategy in order to provide high quality services at lowest price during the
shortest time in hospitals. 5S system is a tool, a management system and a philosophy for changing the
approach of hospitals toward a managed and organized method. This system is a methodology which
allows hospitals to increase quality of health care with reducing errors and waiting time. 5S system is an
approach to support health staff and physicians, eliminate the current obstacles in the workflow and help
them to merely focus on providing patient’s healthcare. Therefore, the present study aimed to introduce
the establishment of the 5S system which is one of the major lean tools in the healthcare system and
extend its principles with an Islamic view. This was an unsystematic review study conducted in 2012
using the Google engine search in sites of journals, the Holy Quran, Nahj-al-Balagha, Bihar-al-Anwar, Al-
Kafi, Kanz al-A’mal, Wasael al-Shia, and Al-khesal and using keywords of 5S system, lean, health
system, healthcare, set-in-order, discipline, purification, cleanliness, hygiene, purity, durability in full texts
and abstracts. Approximately, 100 articles, verses, hadiths and abstracts were obtained among which 45
cases were found to be related with the objects of this study. Regular enforcement of the 5S procedures
can provide a clean and sanitary environment. Moreover, efforts to establish correct habits in staff is the
most important factor in accomplishing standardized and sorted workplaces and this major factor is done
by implementing the fifth technique (5th S i.e. sustaining). An organized environment is due to provide
high quality services.

Keywords

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Health Information Management
Volume 9, Issue 6
Winter 2012
Pages 929-941