Track: Undergraduate Student Paper Competition

Abstract

The COVID-19 health crisis has revealed numerous critical issues and bottlenecks in existing healthcare systems throughout the nation. Hospitals and healthcare facilities have recently dealt with numerous issues surrounding capacity, resources, and training protocols. As cases surge throughout the nation, many institutions are searching for more effective methods of improving inefficiencies in their workflow due to increasing demand and shrinking budget. The application of lean methodology in existing systems will greatly facilitate in this endeavor. Lean manufacturing concepts have historically been applied across various industries to improve overall production and efficiency by reducing waste and getting the most out of resources.

More specifically, the application of Kaizen is paramount in increasing efficiency and problem solving in the healthcare sector. Kaizen is a core lean tool that focuses on the concept of continuous improvement in every aspect throughout the workforce. In the health sector, small, continuous improvements can lead to significant changes in efficiency, quality, safety, waiting times, and workplace culture. A fully inclusive training approach is one of the key factors that distinguishes Kaizen’s potential when applied to the health sector. It is crucial for healthcare facilities to adopt Kaizen tools such as value stream mapping and 5S in their existing systems and procedures to remove clutter and improve organization to streamline overall workflow. This presentation provides an analysis of various Kaizen applications in healthcare facilities and how they would be critical to the transformation of healthcare systems during the COVID-19 pandemic.