| No longer can health care organizations continue to | | | | improvement project. While lean projects have a |
| provide services without changing the method of care | | | | definitive start and end implementation date change |
| delivery. There are so many processes involved in the | | | | management is on going. Change management |
| delivery of care that many organizations do not know | | | | education doesn't have to be painful to be effective it |
| where to begin. Often when they do begin to | | | | needs consistency. Consistency may mean weekly, |
| implement a lean philosophy the focus is on the | | | | monthly, or quarterly facilitation sessions depending |
| short-term project goals and not the long-term culture | | | | upon the complexity of the change and how many |
| change. | | | | levels of the organization that are impacted. In other |
| Culture change education and management along with | | | | cases, it may mean daily reminders prior to beginning |
| implementing lean processes leads to project success | | | | the workday to focus on the benefits of effective |
| and long-term permanent savings. That's a mouthful to | | | | change. |
| say and a great deal to manage. Most lean projects | | | | Please remember when you are asked to participate |
| lead to successful completion, but work culture tends | | | | in a lean health care project (or any lean project) to be |
| to slip back to old habits after the focus is moved | | | | aware of the impact on the organizations culture. If the |
| elsewhere in the organization. The savings slowly | | | | project requires culture to change, be sure to |
| erode back to pre-project levels or in some cases | | | | recommend a change management plan. The |
| new issues develop that create additional costs. | | | | executive sponsor will be thankful you asked as will |
| Therefore, it is important to facilitate a change | | | | the patients that your organization serves. Good luck! |
| management plan to accompany any lean process | | | | |