Analysis of the COPD Pathway: Lean, Agile and Leagility
Abstract This chapter presents case research on the design of a long-term respiratory condition, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), patient pathway. The case draws on the design of a service which spans three hospital sites and two commissioning groups in the UK. From conducting observations, focus groups, validation workshops and interviews with healthcare professionals, patients and relatives, the qualitative thematic analysis enables a detailed picture of existing services to be compiled. We provide illustrations of the current COPD pathway and sub-processes within the pathway, identifying patient, information, resource and emotional flows. We identify points in the pathway where lean, agile and leagility influence or may improve the design of the COPD patient pathway being studied.
Keywords Pathway • Patient • COPD • Flow • Lean • Agile
Introduction
This chapter presents the first of two case studies—this case focuses on the design of a long-term respiratory condition, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) pathway, described by one of the staff participants as the “bread and butter of respiratory”. The case draws on the design of a service which spans three hospital sites and two commissioning groups in the UK. From conducting non-participant observations, focus groups, © The Author(s) 2017
S.J. Williams, Improving Healthcare Operations, DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-46913-3_7
validation workshops and semi-structured interviews with healthcare professionals, patients and relatives, the qualitative analysis provides a detailed picture of existing services. Illustrations of the current COPD pathway and sub-processes within the pathway are provided, identifying patient, information, resource and emotional flows. Where appropriate we include extracts from the anonymised interview and focus group data.
The research question this study aims to address is whether lean, agile and leagility can be employed to improve the design of patient pathways.
The specific objectives for this case research are to:
- 1. understand how the existing COPD pathway is operationalised; and
- 2. assess how standardised (lean) and person-centred care (agile) can be employed in the design and delivery of COPD healthcare services.
