Podcast Episode #52 is a discussion with a good friend (and sometimes contributor) to the Lean Blog, Dan Markovitz, founder and President of Markovitz Consulting. Markovitz Consulting is a corporate efficiency-training firm specializing in the application of Lean manufacturing principles…
Why I Work In Healthcare | DailyKaizen Here’s a great one to end the day on… Lee Fried has a powerful post over on the DailyKaizen blog. Some unfortunately heartache for him and his family, but an important reminder of…
Johns Hopkins Gazette | June 9, 2008 From the online newsletter of William R. Brody, president of The Johns Hopkins University. He writes: First, a disclaimer: I don’t own any stock in Toyota and am not going to get any…
Institute for Healthcare Improvement: Getting Lean in the ED Here is a story that includes examples of Lean improvements at Rockford Health System in Rockford, Illinois. “The simulation embodied the difference between a classroom lecture and a psycho-motor experience,” explains…
It’s once again my pleasure to host the Carnival for John Hunter and his Curious Cat blog. Please submit your favorite management posts to the carnival. Read the previous management carnivals. Coconuts, Bamboo, and Pedal Power (Mike Wroblewski, Got Boondoggle?)…
‘It’s never just one thing’ that leads to serious error – Los Angeles Times This is a stunning headline, it’s pretty amazing (in a good way) to find an article that doesn’t focus on blaming individuals. “It’s never just one…
‘Bundling’ hospital processes may help prevent infections – USATODAY.com “Bundling hospital processes” = Standardized Work Why isn’t every hospital doing this? Why isn’t every hospital administrator making sure this is happening? The IHI [Institute for Healthcare Improvement] defines bundling as…
Can US Airways Pass Test of Time? – WSJ.com: Saw this about US Airways (LCC), an airline I used to fly a lot when I lived and it was just America West. The airline has struggled through its merger —…
I could have also titled this post “I screwed up!” or “Who Screwed Up? Me!” but we try not to point the finger of blame in the Lean mindset…. it’s especially uncomfortable when you have to point it in the…
globeandmail.com: Private sector health care: Think quality, regulation I don’t think healthcare and quality is a “Private vs. Public” debate. As we’ll inevitably have debate during the 2008 U.S. Presidential election, I think it’s important to keep quality in mind…
Modern Healthcare Online (article available to subscribers only, March 12, 2007 Issue) I think it’s been true in the manufacturing world that quality certifications, such as ISO-9001, aren’t necessarily predictors of world-class quality. I’ve seen it be far too easy…
I was boarding an American Airlines Super 80 at DFW yesterday, I noticed a warning sign on the controls of the jet bridge. As I’ve said before, “warning signs are not error proofing.” That certainly applies here. There was a…