Going Lean: Busting Barriers to Patient Flow (American College of Healthcare Executives Management) (American College of Healthcare Executives Mangement) [Paperback]

Amy C. Smith (Author), Robert Barry (Author), Clifford E. Brubaker (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1567932819 | ISBN-13: 978-1567932812 | Publication Date: October 31, 2007 | Edition: 1

Why is this patient still here? Has this question crossed your mind while you are walking the halls of your organization? This book explains how the Lean Method can help you keep your patients moving smoothly through treatment. It may sound technical, but it is not. The Lean Method is easy to understand, easy to visualize, and easy to apply. First it will help you identify what is keeping patients waiting. Once you uncover the barriers to smooth patient flow, you can use the Lean method to develop creative strategies for keeping patients moving. The Lean Method is a management system. It will help you uncover issues, set goals for solving the issues, and measure your progress toward achievement. Lean has worked in real hospitals, real clinics, and real laboratories The book includes numerous examples and success stories that illustrate the Lean Method in action. It contains specific recommendations for removing the barriers to flow that are commonly uncovered using the Lean Method. When you improve patient flow, you ll see more revenue for the same assets, happier patients, and happier staff. Learn about these strategies for improving patient flow: Creating on observation unit distinct from inpatient units Redesigning compensation systems to favor patient flow Urging senior managers to spend time observing Requiring progress-tracking charts on everything of interest Encouraging caregivers to ask, Why is this patient still here? Creating a patient-flow desk to centralize admission control

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Robert Barry, PhD is a principal of Balester Consultants, a certified Six Sigma Master Black Belt, and a management consultant specializing in systems of extremely high reliability whose clients range from hospitals and utilities to the Alaska Pipeline. Mr. Barry holds the bachelor's degree from Iowa State University and masters and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Pittsburgh and has completed executive management programs at the Harvard Business School and Harvard Law School. He holds eleven US patents and has published widely on technical and management topics. Amy C. Smith is director of case management/utilization management at Western Reserve Care System, in Youngstown Ohio. Ms. Smith is board certified in both advanced practice nursing and nursing administration, with expertise in project management, case management, and performance improvement. Clifford E. Brubaker PhD is Professor and Dean of the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh. He holds additional professorial appointments at the University of Pittsburgh in the Departments of Neurological Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery, Industrial Engineering and Bioengineering and with the McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine. Dr. Brubaker has contributed to Research, Education and Service in the fields of Biomechanics, Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology for over 30 years. Dr Brubaker received his bachelor's and masters degrees from Ball State University and his Ph.D. degree from the University of Oregon.

Product Details

• Paperback: 191 pages
• Publisher: Health Administration Press; 1 edition (October 31, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1567932819
• ISBN-13: 978-1567932812
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,226,380 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.