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Mistake-proofing healthcare: Why stopping processes may be a good start

Author

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  • Grout, John R.
  • Toussaint, John S.

Abstract

Two significant concerns in healthcare are spiraling costs and medical errors. These two concerns are correlated: eliminating medical errors leads to significant cost reductions. We provide an example, ThedaCare Inc., where both problems are improved by providing mechanisms that stop healthcare processes. While businesses often view having their processes stopped as a negative, increasing the stoppages, or creating process failures, is often a precursor to improved performance. A good rule of thumb is: if in doubt, stop. This concept of creating or engineering stoppages in the processes is linked to two "lean" concepts that come from the Toyota Production System: jidoka and poka-yoke. A spectrum of methods for stopping processes is discussed, ranging from warnings in the work environment to mechanical devices designed to stop processes and empower humans to stop the process. The preliminary results achieved at ThedaCare demonstrate the financial and medical improvements that may be obtainable from utilizing these methods.

Suggested Citation

  • Grout, John R. & Toussaint, John S., 2010. "Mistake-proofing healthcare: Why stopping processes may be a good start," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 53(2), pages 149-156, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:bushor:v:53:y:2010:i:2:p:149-156
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    Cited by:

    1. Pareeyawadee Ponanake & Manat Pithuncharurnlap & Woranat Sangmanee, 2014. "Creating Hospitals’ Core Competencies with Lean Healthcare Strategies Entering the ASEAN Economic Community," Journal of Economics and Behavioral Studies, AMH International, vol. 6(9), pages 700-708.
    2. Peter Chemweno & Liliane Pintelon, 2020. "A comparative risk assessment of dialysis care processes in the home and hospital care contexts," International Journal of System Assurance Engineering and Management, Springer;The Society for Reliability, Engineering Quality and Operations Management (SREQOM),India, and Division of Operation and Maintenance, Lulea University of Technology, Sweden, vol. 11(5), pages 985-1002, October.
    3. Rodrigo E. Peimbert-García & Tapani Jorma & Leopoldo Eduardo Cárdenas-Barrón & Samuel M. Nucamendi-Guillén & Heriberto García-Reyes, 2021. "Linking Lean Adoption and Implementation in Healthcare to National Cultures," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-20, August.

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