Even Doctors Cry when they Speak of Lean Six Sigma

by Hal on February 6, 2007

in Safety, kaizen, lean, quality

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Let me start by saying I'm not taking a shot at doctors. In fact, I'm writing about IHI because I think we need to deliberately set out to learn from people outside our industry. Thanks to doctors like Dr. Berwick we are making great strides in the delivery of safe medical services. I'd like to reference tonight's CBS broadcast of IHI's initiatives. Unfortunately, the CBS website is way behind the times. Not only can't I find the broadcast video, but the site doesn't display correctly in either Internet Explorer or Firefox. Still, I hope you caught Katie Couric's interview. Dr. Berwick and IHI lifted my spirits; I'm sure it will lift your spirits too.

Ask yourself, "What can lean do for my projects?"

I was struck by the personal attachment Dr. Berwick had to the 100 K Lives Campaign. At one moment in Katie's interview, Dr. Berwick appeared to cry. He has committed himself to bringing "management science", a.k.a. lean 6 σ to the hospital setting for the sake of eliminating accidental infections and deaths. He has a big ambition. And, Dr. Berwick's efforts at bringing lean 6 σ to the hospital setting is already having a positive effect.

Check out IHI. If lean can work in the hospital setting, then you need to ask yourself, "What can lean do for my project?"

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