Did you know, one of the leading hospitals was able to lower the mortality rate by 13%, in just 30-days by the implementation of the Lean principles?

One of the leading medical centers used a platform which tracks the progress of the hospital’s congestive heart failure (CHF) patients.

The program that the center implemented included the application of lean tools and principles. This program used deep data analysis to track mortality rates of CHF patients and provide real-time information to medical professionals. The medical center implemented lean tools and techniques in the year 2015 and in the first year, the hospital reported strong improvements in two areas.

In the first 30-days of implementation CHF, patient mortality rate recorded 13% decrease in 2015. The readmission rate for CHF patients dropped to 14% in 2016. Not just this, the lean principles also helped to redesign the work area in the sterile processing center.

The clinical laboratory at the center reduced the time traveled by 167 miles a year, saved lab space by 825 sq ft and reduced specimen processing turnaround time by 20%. It also utilized manpower by transferring 11 full-time equivalents for other critical work. The average length of stay for the patient decreased from 6.3 days to 5.7 days. So the process became more efficient and effective.

As you can see, Lean goes beyond manufacturing industry as well. It has applications in the service industry as well including healthcare and hospitality. It helps in making optimum use of healthcare resources thus lowering the patient mortality rate. So, have you started implementing Lean principles?

Compiled By Faber Priyal & Faber Mayuri