ABSTRACT
A Value Stream Mapping (VSM) follows a product or service family or, in the case of Emergency Department (ED) flow, a patient service family. A patient service family is any group of patients that are treated using the same sequence of steps within a similar, although not necessarily exactly the same, overall process. Each upper positioned time interval represents the waiting that occurs at that step, accounting for the number of patients in the queue represented by the inventory triangle. To arrive at the total value-added element time, sum all of the lower positioned time elements representing the average process cycle times. VSM is important for providing a common language and reference for discussing process improvement. It helps to define patient value and waste. It helps visualize the process and solve complex flow issues. The data elements presented in a VSM help to quantify solutions and establish an analytical approach to process improvement.
