Just-in-Time for Healthcare

Thomas L. Jackson

• Publisher: Productivity Press
• Year: 2017
• ISBN:
  9781351645430
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Medicina
• Subtopic: Salud pública, administración y atención

The change from traditional ways of producing and managing healthcare services to a just-in-time approach requires a new understanding about what adds value for the patient or customer, and what does not. Just-in-Time for Healthcare is intended to share powerful knowledge that will help you participate effectively in the change to just-in-time.

Part of the Lean Tools for Healthcare series, this user-friendly book is designed to improve understanding of the just-in-time (JIT) system that is fundamental to providing lean healthcare services and eliminating waste from healthcare processes. The book covers why JIT is important for healthcare by explaining how it enables a healthcare organization to efficiently and reliably produce the quality services its patients require—when they need them, where they need them, and in the amount they need.

This book also -

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• Addresses the basic concepts of just-in-time in healthcare, including flow, pull, and kanban systems

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• Describes the principles and benefits of process flow layouts versus operations-based layouts

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• Reviews the importance of standard work as the foundation for continuous improvement

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• Outlines support techniques for just-in-time such as 5S, visual management techniques, quick setup, mistake proofing, and the essential concepts of lean management

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• Includes real-world healthcare examples.

Presented in practical terms, this fundamental book shows how lean principles and tools connect in a just-in-time system. It is ideally suited for both individual and group learning.

1 Getting Started

1.1 Purpose of This Book

Just-in-Time for Healthcare was written to give you the information you need to participate in implementing this important Lean healthcare approach in your workplace. You are a valued member of your healthcare organization’s transformation team; your knowledge, support, and participation are necessary to the success of any major improvement effort in your organization.

You may be reading this book because your team leader or manager asked you to do so. Or you may be reading it because you think it will provide information that will help you in your work. By the time you finish Chapter 1, you will have a better idea of how the information in this book can help you and your healthcare organization eliminate waste and serve your patients more effectively.

1.2 What This Book Is Based On

This book is about the just-in-time (JIT) system that is fundamental to providing Lean healthcare services and eliminating waste from healthcare processes. In fact, JIT is another way of saying Lean. The methods and goals discussed in this book support the Lean healthcare system, which is based on a production and management system developed at Toyota Motor Company. Since 1979, Productivity Press has published knowledge and information about these approaches. Since 2007, Rona Consulting Group has been applying the knowledge in healthcare. Today, top organizations around the world are applying Lean healthcare principles to improve patient experience, safety, quality, wait times, and affordability.

Just-in-Time for Healthcare draws on a wide variety of resources (see the Appendix for further information). Its aim is to present the main concepts and steps of JIT in a simple, illustrated format that is easy to read and understand.

1.3 Two Ways to Use This Book

There are at least two ways to use this book:

1. As reading material for a learning group or study group process within your organization.
2. For learning on your own.

Your organization may decide to design its own learning group process based on Just-in-Time for Healthcare. Or, you may read this book for individual learning without formal group discussion. Either way, you will learn valuable concepts and methods to apply in your daily work.

1.4 How to Get the Most Out of Your Reading

1.4.1 Become Familiar with This Book as a Whole

There are a few steps you can follow to make it easier to absorb the information in this book. Take as much time as you need to become familiar with the material. First, get a big-picture view of the book by doing the following:

1. Scan the Contents to see how Just-in-Time for Healthcare is arranged.
2. Read the rest of this chapter for an overview of the book’s contents.
3. Flip through the book to get a feel for its style, flow, and design. Notice how the chapters are structured and glance at the illustrations.

1.4.2 Become Familiar with Each Chapter

For each chapter in Just-in-Time for Healthcare, we suggest you follow these steps to get the most from your reading:

1. Flip through the chapter, looking at the way it is presented. Notice the bold headings and the key points flagged in the margins.
2. Read the chapter; enhance your reading by doing the following:
   1. Use the margin assists to help you follow the flow of information.
   2. If the book is your own, use a highlighter to mark key information and answers to your questions about the material. If the book is not your own, take notes on a separate piece of paper.
   3. Answer the Take Five questions in the text. These will help you absorb the information by reflecting on how you might apply it t...