The impact of lean six sigma management
on compliance to Covid-19 health
precaution measures at the University of
Botswana clinic

ABSTRACT

The COVID-19 pandemic is considered a major disruptive event of this decade, raising unforeseen
socio-economic implications worldwide. This novel virus (SARS-CoV-2) has increased the influx of
patients in hospitals, and healthcare organizations are facing unprecedented constraints in their operations to
deal with increased demand and pressed capacity. For much of Africa, it seems likely that the larger infection
and mortality impact of COVID-19 is still to come. Like other African countries, Botswana adopted public
health and mitigation measures taken by states that were more advanced in their response to the pandemic.
It reacted rapidly despite limited resources and capacity. LSS implementation in hospitals has resulted in the
lowering of inventory levels and improving process efficiency and overall performance. All the Lean principles
of specify value, value streaming, flow, pull and perfection were determined to varying degrees at the
University of Botswana clinic. The patient flow mapping which was devised at the facility employed the use
of Six Sigma DMAIC method to ensure that services are offered in a predictable and orderly manner. The
results showed that LSS principles were employed in the clinic and showed an overall positive impact on the
compliance to COVID-19 health protocols.