TL;DR: UMass Memorial Health is working to become a world-class Kaizen organization by engaging all frontline employees in continuous improvement, not just managers or specialists. Inspired by Toyota practices, leaders encourage many small, low-cost ideas–such as a simple Velcro fix…
Why healthcare organizations need fewer heroes–and better systems–according to former ThedaCare leader Kim Barnas. In memoriam: Kim Barnas (1956-2026)I always valued my interactions with Kim and deeply admired what she accomplished–and how she treated people along the way. She stood…
It’s often said that Lean is about “doing more with less.” Historically, and practically speaking, it’s true. But, it’s a phrase that we should be careful about for a number of reasons. Looking back at the origins of the term…
In 2009, I wrote about a nurses’ union in New Brunswick that supported Lean because they realized this methodology could help reduce waiting times and improve working conditions. It’s win Yet, as part of the recent politicized Lean healthcare brew-ha-ha in…
Since the healthcare improvement work I do is apolitical and non-partisan, I’m generally not one to butt into the political affairs of Canada or other countries. But, when I hear complaints about Lean or when it’s being called a “scam”…
I hope you’ll consider coming to the 5th annual Lean Healthcare Transformation Summit, being held in Los Angeles, June 4th and 5th, 2014. The Summit is sponsored by the ThedaCare Center for Healthcare Value and the Lean Enterprise Institute. It’s…
It has been right about three years since I was introduced to Dr. Greg Jacobson via a reader of this blog. It was great to meet a physician who had read, loved, and practiced the ideas from Masaaki Imai’s book Kaizen.…
Here’s a great post from Pascal Dennis on Lean and PDCA (or PDSA): PDCA – the Pounding Heart Muscle of Life Everybody should read Pascal’s post… twice. Honestly, go read it a few times before returning here. I was fortunate…
I’m a bit of a counter-culturalist when it comes to the hype about Super Bowl commercials being entertainment and being something we “have to watch” or “have to discuss at the water cooler.” Bah, I don’t pay attention to most…
Joining me for podcast #192 is John Torinus, author of the excellent book, The Company That Solved Health Care: How Serigraph Dramatically Reduced Skyrocketing Costs While Providing Better Care, and How Every Company Can Do the Same. John is the…
Welcome to the landing page for my podcasts with doctors and dentists… Click here to browse episodes. Click here for the LeanBlog Podcast main page. View other podcast categories. Episodes with Doctors or Dentists as Guests:
Joining me for podcast #191 is my friend and fellow LEI faculty member Mike Orzen (@MikeOrzen), co-author of the Shingo Award-winning book Lean IT: Enabling and Sustaining Your Lean Transformation. I recently crossed paths with Mike in Columbus, Ohio, because we’re…
