The role of leadership and cultural barriers in the adoption of lean six sigma in clinical pharmacy practice and medicine waste reduction. The case of NHS-UK

Saha, Krishnendu and Patel, Bhavesh and Paladini, Stefania (2024) The role of leadership and cultural barriers in the adoption of lean six sigma in clinical pharmacy practice and medicine waste reduction. The case of NHS-UK. International Journal of Quality and Reliability Management. ISSN 0265-671X

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Abstract

Purpose: This study investigates the role of leadership and cultural transformation in facilitating Lean Six Sigma (LSS) practices in clinical pharmacy settings to reduce medicine waste within the UK National Health Services (NHS).
Design/methodology/approach: A systematic literature review on Lean Six Sigma in health care was conducted to develop an analytical framework. This was followed by a qualitative case study of an English NHS trust to test the framework, exploring pharmacists' adoption of LSS practices and their impact on staff behaviour, focusing on leadership decisions and organisational culture.
Findings: The research highlights the significance of leadership's prioritisation in waste reduction efforts and its influence on staff engagement. It also examines the intricate relationship between leadership decisions, education and training, resource allocation, and the prevailing clinical culture, which shapes pharmacists' behaviours and attitudes towards LSS practices and waste reduction.
Originality: We developed a leadership model for the NHS to reduce medicine waste, offering a novel approach to addressing the challenge of medicine waste through leadership and cultural transformation.
Research limitations/implications: The study's focus on a single NHS trust limits the generalisability of the findings, suggesting the need for further research across different healthcare settings.
Practical implications: The study recommends a cultural transformation, earlier training, and reformation in service strategy to enhance the adoption of LSS practices and contribute to a more sustainable future for the wider health services.
Social implications: Effective medicine waste management prevents harm and helps address the current NHS medicine shortage. The NHS can allocate resources efficiently, ensure timely treatment, and prepare for future disruptions by implementing the proposed framework.

Item Type: Article
Identification Number: 10.1108/IJQRM-02-2024-0069
Dates:
Date
Event
30 May 2024
Accepted
28 June 2024
Published Online
Uncontrolled Keywords: health care, waste reduction, lean six sigma, quality improvement, NHS, leadership, organisational culture
Subjects: CAH17 - business and management > CAH17-01 - business and management > CAH17-01-01 - business and management (non-specific)
Divisions: Faculty of Business, Law and Social Sciences > College of Accountancy, Finance and Economics
Faculty of Business, Law and Social Sciences > College of Business, Digital Transformation & Entrepreneurship
Depositing User: Gemma Tonks
Date Deposited: 06 Jun 2024 14:40
Last Modified: 04 Jul 2024 15:47
URI: https://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/id/eprint/15559

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