Gestión por procesos aplicada a establecimientos de salud en el sector público

Objective: To analyze the current state of scientific literature related to process management in public healthcare establishments. The study aimed to identify the tools used, reported impacts, and challenges in its implementation to improve the quality of care. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted based on a systematic review following the PRISMA 2020 methodology. The search was carried out in databases such as Scielo, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and Dialnet. From a total of 260 identified articles, 40 were selected after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, considering their relevance to the topic and their indexing in high-impact journals. Results: Process management in healthcare has been primarily studied from the perspective of continuous improvement methodologies, with notable tools including Lean Healthcare, the 5S methodology, the Ishikawa diagram, and process mapping. The implementation of these tools optimized waiting times, reduced hospital stays, and lowered operational costs. The review found a high concentration of publications from Europe, whereas academic production on the subject remains limited in Latin America. Significant barriers to adopting process management in the public sector were identified, including bureaucratic rigidity, lack of staff training, and limited availability of human, technological, and financial resources. Conclusions: Process management is an organizational strategy that facilitates the standardization of procedures and the optimization of resources. However, its effective implementation requires overcoming structural obstacles and promoting public policies that encourage staff training and the modernization of healthcare systems.