Cost Analysis of Nursing Activities Bed Management Using Lean Management and Conventional Bed Management in Intensive Care Unit of a Private Hospital

Abstract

This descriptive research aimed to study the costs of bed management nursing activities using Lean Management in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a private hospital. The population consisted of cost reports from all 16 nursing personnel working in the ICU. The sample included cost reports from nursing activities provided to 30 purposively selected critically ill patients. The research instruments comprised two sets of nursing activity cost and time recording forms (covering 5 primary activities). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequency, percentage, and mean were used for analysis.

The study found that the total cost of nursing activities under Lean management was 3,526,742 Baht (LC:MC:CC = 14.75:0.18:85.07), which was lower than conventional bed management (totaling 3,735,755 THB). The highest cost component was investment cost at 3,034,010 Baht, with an average of 15,888.98 Baht. The second highest was labor cost at 488,270 Baht, averaging 18,722 Baht. The lowest cost was material cost at 4,462.24 Baht, with an average of 2,294.3 Baht. Comparing Lean bed management with conventional nursing activities management, it was found that costs were reduced by 209,012.76 Baht. The most significant reduction occurred in Standard 3 (Nursing management during hospitalization), with a decrease of 18,531.45 THB. Furthermore, under Standard 1 (Pre-admission preparation), Lean Management significantly reduced operational time from 25.9 minutes to 15.7 minutes. This study indicates that implementing the Lean concept in nursing activities can reduce costs and management time within healthcare units through evidence-based results, aligning with the Lean management approach while maintaining nursing service quality standards.