Applying Lean Techniques to Improve an Emergency Department

摘要

The research was intended to apply lean manufacturing techniques to a healthcare setting, specifically Emergency Department (ED) of a local hospital and improve its performance. The ED process was classified into key sub sub- processes and data was collected from the ED ocesses computer database and direct observations. The data was statistically analyzed to find bottlenecks in the process. Value added (VA) and non non-value added (NVA) analysis was done to minimize the waste of each key sub sub-process. Data analysis also helped to identify the process variation so that the process can be stabilized and then optimized gradually. This research showed important steps to improve the ED where in the entire research was conducted, which can be extend extended to other healthcare settings in such a way that ed healthcare could be safe, patient centered, efficient, and cost effective.