tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7108456.post6064323751578835193..comments2008-05-09T06:13:19.932-05:00Mark Grabanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07953086531083611251noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7108456.post-69949471200525565622008-05-09T06:13:00.000-05:002008-05-09T06:13:00.000-05:002008-05-09T06:13:00.000-05:00Dr. Furst -- regardless if whether you find it "hard to believe" there are many documented cases of hospitals that have used Lean to DOUBLE the amount of direct patient care time that nurses have. They do this by eliminating wasted time spent searching for equipment and information. There's so much waste in existing processes (this is true in one primary care clinic I've worked with also).<BR/><BR/>See <A HREF="http://www.leanblog.org/2008/03/lean-nursing-example-in-new-zealand.html" REL="nofollow"> this case in New Zealand</A> and <A HREF="http://web.mac.com/tjackson5/ronaconsulting.com/about_us_files/MGMA%20article_1.pdf" REL="nofollow"> this article about Virginia Mason</A>.Mark Grabanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07953086531083611251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7108456.post-77284029940999140312008-05-08T22:09:00.000-05:002008-05-08T22:09:00.000-05:002008-05-08T22:09:00.000-05:00Apparently the shortage is easing but it's due to nurses taking back hours in the face of a recession (as spouses are laid off). it's not a person-power issue but a pay issue. pay more and they'll come back. re: walking around -- good luck cutting that down in any significant way. I've seen posts from other lean sites about keeping equipment on the ward but I find it hard to believe a significant (practical not statistical) amount of walking will be reduced.Ian Furst http://www.waittimes.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11795888117578055704noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7108456.post-19566115334490292012008-05-08T18:21:00.000-05:002008-05-08T18:21:00.000-05:002008-05-08T18:21:00.000-05:00True those efforts need to continue. I can't believe the nursing shortage is anywhere close to easing in an macro way. The long term numbers just point the other way every time I look (which granted isn't that often). But the projected demand always grows (fed by the aging population) and the supply chain is poor. And the working conditions are often not desirable for a significant portion of the population... Hospitals adopting lean management could put a significant dent in the macro situation over 10-15 years but I would be really surprised if that has happened. <BR/><BR/>The article seems to basically be saying their is a relationship between the economy and nursing shortages in that when times are bad more nurses work longer hours or stay employed as nurses. And when times get better then pull back and the nursing shortage becomes more significant.curiouscathttp://curiouscat.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.com