Bibliometric analysis of research design characteristics in continuous improvement projects in hospitals

Continuous improvement projects (CIPs), such as Kaizen events, Six Sigma projects, Lean Six Sigma projects, and quality improvement projects, have been used to improve processes and system performance in organizations. Although CIPs have a determinant role in continuous improvement initiatives, research concerning the use of CIPs in hospitals is relatively new. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to identify the main research topics addressed, including research methods and analysis tools used, in scholarly works on CIPs in hospitals. A systematic literature review was conducted, which identified 302 academic publications (journals, conference proceedings, and dissertations/theses). The research design characteristics were evaluated using bibliometric analysis identifying a high concentration of publications focused on describing CIP implementations, using case studies as research methods, and applying several problem-solving tools. These findings suggest that CIPs in hospitals is an emerging research field with opportunities to conduct empirical investigations, increasing the knowledge available and improving processes and systems in hospitals.