ABSTRACT

Organizations around the world are using Lean to redesign care and improve processes in a way that achieves and sustains meaningful results for patients, staff, physicians, and health systems. Lean Hospitals, Third Edition explains how to use the Lean methodology and mindsets to improve safety, quality, access, and morale while reducing costs, increasing capacity, and strengthening the long-term bottom line.

This updated edition of a Shingo Research Award recipient begins with an overview of Lean methods. It explains how Lean practices can help reduce various frustrations for caregivers, prevent delays and harm for patients, and improve the long-term health of your organization.

The second edition of this book presented new material on identifying waste, A3 problem solving, engaging employees in continuous improvement, and strategy deployment. This third edition adds new sections on structured Lean problem solving methods (including Toyota Kata), Lean Design, and other topics. Additional examples, case studies, and explanations are also included throughout the book.

Mark Graban is also the co-author, with Joe Swartz, of the book Healthcare Kaizen: Engaging Frontline Staff in Sustainable Continuous Improvements, which is also a Shingo Research Award recipient. Mark and Joe also wrote The Executive’s Guide to Healthcare Kaizen.

chapter 1|22 pages

The Need for Lean Hospitals

chapter 3|27 pages

Value and Waste

chapter 4|20 pages

Observing the Process and Value Streams

chapter 5|28 pages

Standardized Work as a Foundation of Lean

chapter 7|28 pages

Proactive Root Cause Problem Solving

chapter 8|19 pages

Preventing Errors and Harm

chapter 9|28 pages

Improving Flow

chapter 10|9 pages

Lean Design

chapter 11|33 pages

Engaging and Leading Employees

chapter 12|33 pages

Getting Started with Lean