Operational Excellence in the CTSICU

Operational Excellence is about allowing the system to put the correct processes in place to empower all staff members to make change. These processes will evolve into continuous quality improvement, allowing the best outcomes to be achieved. At Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh, the right structures are in place to incorporate continuous process improvement by using an Operational Excellence board. This article discusses how the Operational Excellence concept and board was used in a busy cardiothoracic intensive care unit to affect employee safety and empowerment as well as improvements in patient safety and care quality.