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Published on: January 15, 2017
Using LEAN to improve a segment of emergency department flow
Courtney Vose1, Christine Reichard, Susan Pool
1Author Affiliations: Administrator, Patient Care Services (Ms Vose); Administrative Partner, Patient Care Services (Ms Reichard); Systems Analyst, Care Continuum (Ms Pool); Director, Patient Care Services (Ms Snyder); Chair, Department of Emergency Medicine (Dr Burmeister), Lehigh Valley Health Network, Allentown, Pennsylvania.
Toyota LEAN methods reduced emergency department (ED) overcrowding and patient batching. This initiative also enhanced interprofessional collaboration within the healthcare organization.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare Management
- Operations Research
- Quality Improvement
Background:
- Emergency department (ED) overcrowding is a significant organizational challenge.
- Patient 'batching' or 'bolus of patients' exacerbates ED overcrowding.
- Inefficient processes contribute to these issues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To apply Toyota LEAN methods as a performance improvement framework.
- To address and mitigate ED overcrowding.
- To improve patient flow and reduce batching.
Main Methods:
- Implementation of Toyota LEAN principles in the ED.
- Focus on process optimization and waste reduction.
- Data collection to monitor overcrowding and patient flow metrics.
Main Results:
- Significant decrease in the incidence of ED overcrowding.
- Reduction in patient batching events.
- Enhanced interprofessional collaboration among healthcare staff.
Conclusions:
- Toyota LEAN methods are effective for improving ED operations.
- LEAN implementation can successfully address overcrowding and patient flow issues.
- Improved collaboration is a key outcome of LEAN initiatives in healthcare settings.
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