Breakeven Point and Automation in Healthcare application of an economic tool for the evaluation of the sustainability of a health technology through the application of the lean methodology

Abstract

Introduction: Starting from the results of a study on performance in pathological anatomy using the Lean methodology, we applied a business economics tool to evaluate the sustainability of the introduction of automation in healthcare processes by experimenting with its applicability in a Pathological Anatomy service and then extend the results to the introduction of automation in general in healthcare processes.

Objectives: The objective of the study is to demonstrate how the Lean methodology combined with an economic tool such as the breakeven point can be used in laboratory processes, and in general in healthcare processes, to contribute to a correct evaluation of the costs and benefits of the introduction of process automation.

Methods: By applying the "Lean" methodology and the "breakeven point" tool we evaluated the possibility of finding the break-even point and the sustainability of automation in a healthcare process, demonstrating the effectiveness of its introduction.

Results: The application of the Lean methodology and the "breakeven point" tool to the process of technical preparation of the histological samples made it possible to recover 10 hours of work to be reused for other activities and to find a formula that can give an evaluation of the break-even point between cost of human resources and automation and demonstrate the ineffectiveness of alternatives to automation beyond the breakeven point.

Discussions: The changes made to the process through the application of the "Lean" method and the "breakeven point" tool have allowed a recovery of efficiency and economic savings related to the cost incurred without the introduction of automation. Finding the breakeven point of introducing automation allows for a better evaluation of business costs, the sustainability of its introduction in a healthcare process and a better use of human resources.

Conclusions: The application of the Lean methodology and the "breakeven point" tool in Anatomic Pathology and healthcare processes in general contributes to a more complete evaluation of the sustainability of automation and effectiveness in terms of both expense and better use of staff, allowing the latter the possibility of being employed in specialist activities with high added value rather than in repetitive "time consuming" activities.