Li Wei (The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061) Abstract: Against the backdrop of continuous development in the healthcare industry, public hospitals face significant pressure to control operational costs while delivering efficient medical services. Lean management effectively enhances production and service quality. Integrating it into public hospital operations has become a key strategy for optimizing resource allocation and improving service efficiency. This paper conducts an in-depth study on the application of lean management in controlling operational costs within public hospitals. Building upon an analysis of core lean management concepts, it explores major challenges encountered in operational cost control within public hospitals. Furthermore, it proposes specific applications of lean management in this context, aiming to provide guidance for public hospitals to establish robust operational cost control systems. Keywords: Lean Management; Public Hospitals; Operational Costs; Cost Control