Driving health-care efficiency through continuous improvement in the post-COVID era: insights and future directions from a systematic literature review

Purpose This study aims to offer a systematic assessment and investigation of the implementation of continuous improvement (CI) plans in the health-care industry between 2020 and 2024. The study investigates essential topics such as leadership, innovation, performance management, process improvement and continuous improvement approaches using databases such as Scopus and Web of Science. It looks at issues from a number of theoretical viewpoints, such as lean management, total quality management, organizational change and learning organizations. To develop knowledge and implementation of continuous improvement in health-care settings, the review attempts to address current research gaps, emphasize the theoretical foundations impacting CI in health care and offer directions for future research. Design/methodology/approach The implementation of continuous improvement (CI) in health care is studied in this study using a systematic literature review (SLR) technique. Scopus and Web of Science were the sources of research articles from 2020 to 2024. The review is based on theories such as total quality management, lean management, performance management, organizational change, leadership and learning organizations. Leadership, process improvement, innovation and CI methods are significant issues. Understanding theoretical effects on health-care improvement strategies is the goal. The study fills a major research need by pointing out gaps, offering avenues for future research and progressing our understanding of CI applications in many medical contexts. Findings The five vital concepts in health-care improvement are studied in this assessment. The objective of process improvement is to raise efficiency and save expenditures by using methodical approaches such as define measure analyse improve control (DMAIC) and suppliers inputs process outputs customers (SIPOC). The transformative change is fueled by innovation, which prioritizes sector growth, disruptive models and individualized treatment. Performance management highlights how information and communication technology (ICT) and sustainability are being integrated into formative and goal-oriented processes. By adopting evidence-based approaches and a quality culture, Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) approaches, such as medical patient review-CQI, greatly improve patient outcomes. Human resources, communication and process success are all influenced by leadership and culture. When taken as a whole, these themes highlight a systematic strategy for improving quality, health-care outcomes and efficiency in dynamic health-care systems. Originality/value This study offers original insights by methodically investigating current research (2020–2024) on the use of continuous improvement (CI) in the health-care industry, a field with thorough examination. This research offers a complete understanding of CI initiatives by integrating numerous theoretical views, including total quality management (TQM), organizational change and lean management, in contrast to earlier fragmented studies. The uniqueness is in pointing out understudied relationships between performance, leadership and innovation in health-care CI practices. The report also recognizes areas that need more investigation, especially in patient-centered and data-driven methodologies, providing a base for academics and professionals to develop CI tactics in the changing health-care environment.