The "5S" approach can reduce waiting time: findings from hospitals in Northern Tanzania

What is it about?

"5S" (Sort, Set, Shine, Standardize, and Sustain) approach was implemented in 16 district level hospitals in two regions in Northern Tanzania between June 2011 and August 2012 as an operational research. Design of the operational research was a cluster randomized control trial of the 16 hospitals in which eight (8) were intervention arm and other eight were control arm. After one year of the intervention, the end-line study was carried out in both the groups. A comparison of the average waiting time reduction and Difference-in-Difference analysis was carried out to see the effect of the "5S"approach on the reduction of patient's waiting time. Before the intervention, baseline survey was conducted in all the 16 hospitals with both the intervention and control arm. The intervention arm received - training of trainers in July 2011; supportive supervision (referred to as consultation visit in the study) in January 2012; participated in progress report meeting in March 2012; and again consultation visit in July 2012. Thereafter, an end-line survey was conducted in August 2012. Patient's waiting time was measured (observed) in four sections namely: Registry; Waiting area of Consultation Room; Laboratory reception; and pharmacy dispensing area of the out-patient department in the 16 hospitals. Findings have indicated a significant reduction in patient's waiting time in Medical Records Section and Consultation Room in the intervention arm.

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Why is it important?

The findings have demonstrated that implementation of the "5S" approach in hospitals at district level can reduce patient's waiting time. Also, the study demonstrates that "5S" approach is applicable at district level hospitals in African settings.

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