Operating a clinical laboratory using the Toyota method and the Lanchester strategy

Abstract

Since 2016, our hospital’s laboratory has been operating using a combination of the successful “Toyota Method” as a management strategy and the “Lanchester Strategy,” which is a management strategy for small and medium-sized enterprises. Leveraging the strengths of our municipal hospital, we achieved a revenue-to-expense ratio of 61.9% and a breakeven point ratio of 21.7% (the highest) in 2018. Although there was a temporary decline due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are currently in a gradual recovery phase. We examined whether we could achieve a continuously evolving laboratory that responds to the needs of the clinical field by focusing on three points: thorough elimination of waste, talent development using the 5S method, and differentiation in the operation of the specimen laboratory to improve revenue and meet clinical needs.