Walk This Way…An Intro To Lean

The month of March has come in like a lion for Sun Country Health Region and the Continuous Quality Improvement Department -  and we have no intention of letting it go out like a lamb!  As of March 21, we have started the Region wide training roll out of Walk This Way – An Introduction to Lean.  The possibilities that will result are endless, and excite me to no end. 

The training kicked off with Community Health Services on March 21^st and 22^nd and was followed closely by the training of a selection of management and staff at St. Josephs in Estevan on the 24^th.  Participation was enthusiastic and everyone went away with a better understanding of how lean thinking and methodology can assist them be more productive and more satisfied with their day to day activities. 

The training is a one day course that provides a comprehensive understanding of Lean tools.  Participants are given tools that assist them with such things as being able to identify a process that requires improvement, understanding and identifying waste, and understanding and implementing 5S.  Participants worked through simulations to drive the tools home, as were engaged in practical conversation as to how these tools can be applied to individual situations. 

The benefits of the continued rollout of the Walk This Way training are endless as staff throughout the Region begin to speak a common language and work together towards a common goal.  It won’t be long before transformational change begins to happen and we see the benefits not only in the way we are able to do our jobs, but in the improvement of the patient experience within the Region. 

I am encouraged by the incredible potential in each and every participant to affect real and critical change to the processes they work with every day.   As Lean Champions are trained and prepared to assist their colleagues, I know we will be able to keep this ball rolling.  I am looking forward to being able to share Sun Country Success Stories as we continue on this Lean journey!  Stay tuned…

Value Stream Mapping

As 2011 began so did an exciting project for the CQI Department in Sun Country Health Region! 

At the end of February, a team came together to examine the Patient Pre-Operative process from Doctor referral to entering the Operating Room.  All of the steps were identified using a Value Stream Mapping exercise.  Value Stream mapping takes a look at every step of a process, and breaks it down into intricate detail, revealing all of the areas where there are opportunities for improvement.  The other huge benefit of a Value Stream map is how it allows everyone involved to “see” exactly what is actually taking place in the process on a day to day basis. 

Participants that took part were from both Weyburn General Hospital and St. Josephs Hospital in Estevan.  Combining the two facilities allowed each group to have a look at what the other is doing as well as standardize some of the practices that go one in the same region.  Everyone involved was amazed by just how different the processes were, and yet, at the end of the day patients are receiving the exact same service.  The group was careful to remember that this is about a process, not the people who are involved in making that process happen! 

When the five day Value Stream mapping came to an end, we had identified many opportunities for improvement which will go a long way in ensuring our patients experiences are the best possible.  Teams are now holding weekly huddles to give each other updates and keep the project on track!  I’d like to thank the team that came together to make all this possible and look forward to seeing the future state Pre-Op process!!