ObjectiveTo analyze the application of visual management in foreign medical service management, and to provide a reference for lean medical management practice in China.MethodsUsing “visual management” and “visual tool” as the search terms, we searched PubMed, Web of Science, Springer Link, ScienceDirect, to retrieve relevant literature on the application of visual management tools to improve medical services in foreign countries. The number of published articles, journals, improvement objectives, measures and effects were analyzed descriptively.ResultsA total of 534 articles were retrieved. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 7 articles were finally included, all of which were published in SCI journals, of which the number of articles in the United States was the highest (5 articles). Among the 7 included articles, 3 articles used face cards, 2 articles used whiteboards, 1 article used electronic Kanban, and 1 article used discharge “traffic lights”. Five articles studied the improvement of doctor-patient communication, and two studied the improvement of bed turnover rate. In the included articles, the contents of visualization mainly include the nursing goals of the inpatient, inspection plan, turnover, discharge plan, and the names and roles of medical staff.ConclusionsVisual management tools have a significant effect on promoting doctor-patient communication and improving hospital bed turnover. The application of foreign visual management tools in wards is relatively mature, and used more in promoting doctor-patient communication. Visual management tools are constantly updated, and electronic tools may gradually become a trend in the future.