Question

Working to make a process and/or company "lean" is the process of doing what? Lets say you are an operations manager in the emergency room at a local hospital. You decide to map out the steps of employees to figure out how you can speed up operations and throughput as a result. The emergency room is a high pace, high intensity setting that requires maximum efficiency. You notice that paths seem to be crossing and running into one another most at a small supply closet containing vital materials to get the job done. The supply closet is in the far back corner of the ER, what could you do to make the process of gathering supplies lean and eliminate possible bottlenecks (NOTE: there are multiple correct answers) ?

Answer 1

Making a process or a company "lean" means following a structured approach and methods for creating maximum value by reducing waste and waits. In an hospital it is very important to follow a lean approach in-order to reduce any error or time delay which would otherwise lead to any mishap.

In-order to make the process of gathering supplies lean, we can make following changes:

1. Reduce lead time: The supply closet containing vital material is situated at the far back container, this closet needs to be shifted somewhere close.

2. Implementing 5S:

a. Sort: Go through all the material, tool and equipment in the closet and identify which of the products are relevant and what needs to be removed. Identify each items purpose, use, frequency of usage and on the basis of this categorize items in terms of relevance

b. Set in Order: Group the items by type and usage, place the products with proper name and reduce unnecessary movement

c. Shine: This step requires to keep the area clean and uncluttered, bringing back the equipment back to its original space after usage so that it could be used again without any time delay. Regular inspection could be set in place to ensure that the products are placed right and are in proper working condition.

d. Standardize: Standardize the process by putting visual cues which can provide direction and keep items in place

e. Sustain: Ensure that the process is followed without any fail.

3. Implementing 'KANBAN': All equipment and material in the closet could be tagged with an instruction card, which would help out even a person who is not familiar to identify the object required

4. Workforce Management and Training: Ensure proper training of the people involved in the Emergency room for quick and accurate measures. Workforce to be trained on how to handle patients, proper clarity in terms of roles and responsibilities, knowledge about all the items, its  usage and where to find them in the closet.