David K. Wessner, President and chief executive officer of Park Nicollet Health Services. “Team members used stopwatches to time each step performed in certain procedures. They drew maps outlining the exact movements of patients, staff and equipment through the clinic. They looked for ways to standardize work, including developing a standard supply cart so that doctors and nurses didn't have to leave their exam rooms to look for supplies.”
Here is a column from the leader of a Minnesota non-profit hospital, defendng the idea that using TPS is health care does not mean an “assembly line” for patients (a term that some will use to disparage the idea of lean healthcare).
“A Park Nicollet team of doctors, nurses and technicians spent a week focusing on improving clinic efficiency.
More examples and results are in the article.
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Mark Graban
Mark Graban is an internationally-recognized consultant, author, and professional speaker who has worked in healthcare, manufacturing, and startups. His latest book is Measures of Success: React Less, Lead Better, Improve More. He is author of the Shingo Award-winning books Lean Hospitals and Healthcare Kaizen, as well as The Executive Guide to Healthcare Kaizen. He also published the anthology Practicing Lean that benefits the Louise H. Batz Patient Safety Foundation, where Mark is a board member. Mark is also a Senior Advisor to the technology company KaiNexus.