Industries
Medical
, Inc. believes that the healthcare industry has reached the “Tipping Point” and aggressive quality and process improvement initiatives are needed to answer the challenges presented by consumers and the gatekeepers of the industry.
† Can lean techniques work in healthcare?
- The Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic and ThedaCare have aggressive lean programs in operation.
- Virginia Mason in Seattle is a landmark example of the quality and operational gains brought by lean programs. The 350 bed hospital saved $6 million in capital spending, reduced inventory cost by $360,000, freed up 13,000 sq. ft. of floor space, slashed staff walking by 34 miles per day, streamlined bill collection and improved patient satisfaction.
- The University of Michigan Hospital System has recently adopted the “Toyota Way”.
- The American Hospital Association has instituted a quality improvement department headed by Steve Mayfield, Six Sigma Master Black Belt.