ABSTRACT
This chapter suggests that continuous innovation is better than continuous improvement, although continuous improvement is necessary for processes that do not require radical changes. Most incumbent organizations get saddled with making their existing products or services incrementally better versus making new innovations. Marginal innovation is one in which there is enhancement of an existing process, such as using a checklist to prevent catheter-related bloodstream infections. An incremental innovation can be as simple as using the “bundle” approach introduced by the Institute of Healthcare Improvement. Strategic innovation is focused on generating ideas beyond incremental and breakthrough innovations. Making the choice of innovation, encouraging creativity, and providing the management structure for sustaining innovations are the foundation for the innovation culture. To make innovation sustainable for many years, an organization must choose the types of innovations they wish to pursue and create a management structure to sustain them.
