Lean Healthcare We Got The Money-Now What
I want to start things off by saying that I come to the table not only bringing a problem, but also the solution. Most of us are skeptics and are concerned that the money recently handed out will not be used to improve the patient care in our healthcare system. Even with the best intentions, the money may get diverted to areas, which may have little impact on the real systemic healthcare problems. As you read this article, you will discover there is a way to ensure that the changes and investments of the dollars have the desired outcome on healthcare. It only requires passion and a solid strategic plan for implementation.
Over the last few weeks, there has been a great deal of press and conversation about Canadian Healthcare. The politicians are dividing up a pot of newly found money for healthcare and the public is wondering why the waiting lists for many of the critical care areas are so long. It appears the healthcare system is broken down.
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As health care costs increase at a faster rate than other products or services, health care providers, in particular hospitals, are under continuous pressure to dramatically improve service, reduce costs, improve patient safety, reduce waiting times, and reduce errors and associated litigation.
However, hospitals are not making the necessary improvements in cost, quality, and safety. A report by the U.S. HHS Office of the Inspector General finds that 20% of consecutive inpatient stay sequences were associated with poor quality care, unnecessary fragmentation of care, or both. The current organization and management of hospitals is an imperfect system that cannot effectively address these issues. Major projects to restructure hospitals, dramatically reduce cost, and improve customer care have had little impact on quality or cost.
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