What do we mean by Lean?

The philosophy of continually reducing waste in all areas and in all forms.

Lean HealthCare Program

The Lean Healthcare Program trains leadership and line staff at hospitals, nursing homes and clinics in the science of lean disciplines that help these organizations implement strategic plans, eliminate waste, build intercultural teamwork, reduce intercultural conflicts, reduce or eliminate mistakes and deficiencies and improve customer service.

The Northland College Lean Healthcare Program has eight (8) modules. We highly recommend that they be delivered in the sequence outlined for best results. This is because each module builds on the skills, self-confidence and teamwork developed in the previous modules. Modules can be delivered in 4, 6, or 8 hour segments, as the healthcare organization desires.

• Module #1: Principles of Continuous Improvement
  Expands upon the organization's current strategic plan. This module looks at the outcomes desired by the organization's leadership in a wide variety of areas, helping the organization identify, explain and target areas of both problems and opportunities. These become the focus of the lean projects that follow, so that learning is practical, not theoretical. This module lays a strong foundation for the work that follows, explaining some of the tools that will be used throughout the program, including charting, waste elimination, defect (mistake) reduction, and more. (8 hours)
• Module #2: Adapting to Change
  Prepares the leadership or employees mentally, emotionally and practically for the positive changes they will soon be making. This module explores the ways in which personal and organizational change can positively affect or achieve the targeted opportunities for growth identified in the strategic plan. It provides employees with skills they need to reduce or eliminate stress during times of change, and gives them practice in applying their individual gifts in positive ways to the changes desired. This module uses tools to overcome the fear, procrastination and limitations that often appear in the change process, showing leadership and staff how to leverage their success for faster change. (4 hours)
• Module #3: Value Stream Mapping
  Gives the leadership or employees the opportunity to succeed with positive change immediately. This module examines current processes within the organization with an eye to eliminating waste and improving value and satisfaction for patients and their families. During each session, sequences are mapped for greater understanding and identification of where waste occurs. Participants then use the remaining sessions to change their processes to eliminate problems of waste. The results of Value Stream Mapping are exciting and energizing, as they almost always deliver immediate cost or time savings that grow over time. Value Stream Mapping projects can and are often done on a regular basis in healthcare organizations, delighting both the patients and staff with increased efficiencies and saving money in places that are often overlooked. (16 hours)
• Module #4: Workplace Organization/5S System
  Builds on the excitement and results of Value Stream Mapping projects by getting employees to systematize their approach to organizational cleanliness and order. This module helps eliminate obstacles to efficiency, promoting quality, safety, productivity and employee involvement in all areas of the organization. A 5S project, called a Kaizen Blitz, is performed, allowing employees to sort, set-in-order, shine, standardize and sustain an optimum working environment in any one particular area. (24 hours; should be delivered in back-to-back sessions, if possible)
• Module #5: Team Dynamics
  Builds on the confidence and cooperation gained in the 5S and Value Stream Mapping processes. This module helps the organization identify its current state of ethno-relative development using a state-of-the-art tool known as the IDI, or Intercultural Development Inventory. Participants then apply the Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity (DMIS) to exercises and activities to expand their intercultural awareness. The highlight of this module is the preparation and delivery of an intercultural event for staff, patients and families. This event builds a better integrated workforce, and also gives the organization a tool, if desired, for improved public relations. (12 hours)
• Module #6: Managing Conflicts
  Builds on the skills and awareness gained during the Team Dynamics project by helping individuals identify their own Intercultural Conflict Style. Using the Intercultural Conflict Style (ICS) tool, participants practice understanding, working with and caring for people of varying conflict styles to build bridges of understanding and respect as well as to manage and resolve differences. Practice with this tool allows individuals to gain confidence in their ability to communicate with and understand people of diverse cultures, races, ages and temperament. (12 hours)
• Module #7: HealthSigmaT
  Takes the understanding and respect developed in the previous two modules and puts it to work on one or more projects that are designed to eliminate defects and mistakes in the service delivery process. The Lean Sigma program applies a Six-Sigma, or defect-free paradigm to healthcare delivery, and can be applied anywhere in the organization where mistakes are costing lives, jobs or money. This module, taught by certified Six Sigma Greenbelt instructors, trains participants in the use of Six Sigma tools so that they can succeed with a project selected in the Continuous Improvement/strategic planning module. The training hours of this module are largely spent in the actual data collecting and problem-solving process, not in learning theories. Any project identified and completed should save the organization a minimum of $50,000 over the course of one year. (40 hours)
• Module #8: Customer Service
  Takes the success, confidence and cooperation built in the succeeding modules and applies them to the process of customer service. The Disney model of customer service is introduced and discussed, along with other highly successful customer service paradigms. Participants create a customer service plan that fits with their new understanding of lean culture and begin its implementation. (12 hours)

Northland Community and Technical College Lean Healthcare Program helps healthcare organizations build safety, consistency, cooperation, quality and better bottom line performance into their day-to-day operations by training and empowering leadership and staff to use their skills and experience in ever-expanding ways. It helps build employee achievement and satisfaction for higher retention rates, and creates a culture of continuous improvement that will continue to add to the bottom line for years to come.

Call us for more information regarding contract costs and taking the first step on your Lean Health journey.

Contact Information

Pat Balstad
Director of Lifelong Learning
Tel: (218) 681-0792
E mail: Pat Balstad