A major priority of the Toyota Production System is to satisfy the customers by providing high value. The use of continuous flow, pull systems, the Andon system, standard work, visual controls, the ...5S system, and reliable technology are critically important. Optimizing one's workforce is also very important by developing leaders and teams, using consensus in decision making, and becoming a learning organization. To fully understand the problems, it is also important that leaders go to the workplace to talk to workers and see what is going on.
The A3 form is a structured way of solving problems using a detailed step-by-step methodology using the principles of the Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle. The A3 form supports efforts to organize the ...thinking of workers about new ways to improve. The form is used as a guide for many project teams to find answers, and then the team arrives at decisions through consensus. Sometimes process mapping, driver diagrams, and gap analysis are included in A3 problem solving. The A3 form is just one of numerous healthcare applications for the Toyota Production System and Lean.
Abstract
Many times in high reliability organizations, there is uncertainty about the meaning of various happenings or circumstances. Unfortunately, in an emergency, there is often no time to fully ...investigate events or what is going on in the environment before action must be taken to avoid unfortunate results or disaster. In groups, sensemaking refers to the process of interrelating with others so that a shared understanding may be reached, taking advantage of the differing observations, expertise, and opinions of the people involved, and then taking appropriate action.
The Toyota Production System (TPS) revolutionized automotive manufacturing and then spread more widely to other manufacturing and service industries, including healthcare. Many of the concepts in the ...TPS originated from ideas from the quality and production pioneers in the United States. Japanese experts built on these concepts and added many of their own to fashion them together into a comprehensive system. One of the key concepts in the TPS is to reduce waste without sacrificing quality.
Abstract
For existing goods or services, Six Sigma uses the steps of DMAIC and the statistical analysis of data to decrease variation and errors, improve the value of an organization's outputs to the ...customers, and increase the profitability of the organization. In health care, in view of the training required and other issues, Six Sigma is best used for large complex problems, although it has also been applied successfully to smaller issues. Many examples of the use of Six Sigma and Lean Six Sigma in health care are reviewed.
Lean thinking refers to the thought processes utilizing the main characteristics of Lean to improve processes, reduce waste, and increase value to the customer. Lean thinking can be used to improve ...health care organizations using such tools as the A3 form, root-cause analysis, value stream maps, Gemba walks, kaizen events, and defining standard work. Examples are given about how Lean thinking improved scheduling and productivity, as well as better compliance regarding core measures and adherence to best practices. Lean thinking examples are also given which resulted in less need for space, inventory, and personnel, and a decrease in hospital-acquired infections.
Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) is used to design new outputs such as manufactured products or to design new processes. The steps in DFSS are define, measure, analyze, design, and verify. Many ...sophisticated statistical tools are often used. There are advantages and disadvantages of both Lean and Six Sigma, and often a blending of the 2 methodologies are used in the Lean Six Sigma methodology.
Six Sigma is a methodology to diminish variation and errors and improve efficiency, quality, value, and profit, using certain defined steps and statistical analysis. For existing products and ...services, the DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control) acronym is used to stand for its steps. For new products and services, the Design for Six Sigma methodology is used. The goal of Six Sigma is to reduce the number of defects to no more than 3.4 for every million opportunities.
Abstract Burnout is a concern for radiologists. The burnout rate is greater among diagnostic radiologists than the mean for all physicians, while radiation oncologists have a slightly lower burnout ...rate. Burnout can result in unprofessional behavior, thoughts of suicide, premature retirement, and errors in patient care. Strategies to reduce burnout include addressing the sources of job dissatisfaction, instilling lifestyle balance, finding reasons to work other than money, improving money management, developing a support group, and seeking help when needed.
The Framework for Safe, Reliable, and Effective Care (Framework) and the combined TeamSTEPPS and CUSP programs have many similarities to improve safety including the use of teams, excellent ...communication, safety culture, engaging patients, and leadership. However, the Framework has a focus on the Model for Improvement, and the TeamSTEPPS and CUSP programs emphasize other subjects including handoffs, the membership of teams, coaching, and spreading changes.
