Lean Management (2)


In 2002, at the start of a journey to provide the perfect patient experience, Virginia Mason created the Virginia Mason Production System® (VMPS), a lean management methodology based on the principles of the Toyota Production System (TPS). We realized early on in our transformation journey that our current management approach was not nimble enough to keep up with the changing and challenging health care environment, and we knew we...
What is the Virginia Mason Production System...
Recent Blog Posts
How Does Standard Work Lead to Better Patient...

We’re hurting people in health care more than we think. Providers and other health care specialists frequently balance the art and the science of medicine. While...

What Is Lean Healthcare?

Applying Lean to healthcare The concept of Lean management is often misunderstood when it’s applied to healthcare. For example, some see Lean as a euphemism for...

What Is Heijunka in Health Care?

“Heijunka” is a Toyota Production System term defined as production leveling or smoothing. Our experience at Virginia Mason and in our work with health care clients...

Identifying the Seven Wastes to Build a Lean...

Start Your Healthcare Improvement Journey with This Lean Fundamental Imagine a healthcare organization where employees lack the training and tools to be successful...

8 Ways to Ensure Internal Communication Supports...

Communication forms the bedrock of any organization’s culture. In a culture dedicated to improvement, thoughtful communication is of the utmost importance. How an...

Expanding the Virginia Mason Production System to...

The Virginia Mason Health System earned a reputation for quality and safety thanks to our management method, the Virginia Mason Production System® (VMPS®), which...

Innovation: directed creativity implemented

“At Virginia Mason, our definition of innovation is directed creativity implemented”– Amy Tufano Over the course of a transformation journey, drivers of change...

Daily Management in Healthcare: Embedding...

“The idea is: let’s fix it in the moment.” World-Class Management, a foundational management system and pillar of the Virginia Mason Production System® (VMPS) has...

4 Key Lessons in Healthcare Transformation and...

In 2015, Virginia Mason Institute launched a five-year partnership with five National Health Service trusts in the United Kingdom: Surrey and Sussex Healthcare ...

Selected Resources

Healthcare Improvement Insights

Explore articles, case studies, and research that help healthcare leaders drive sustainable improvement.

Mistake Proofing in Ambulatory, Procedural, and ...

Mistake Proofing in Ambulatory, Procedural, and ...

Welcome to our blog miniseries: Transforming Healthcare, featuring some of the biggest takeaways ...

Mistake Proofing in Ambulatory, Procedural, and Inpatient Care

Welcome to our blog miniseries: Transforming Healthcare, featuring some of the biggest takeaways ...

Culture of Care

Culture of Care

Explore how equity-focused improvement, coaching and lived experience can strengthen staff ...

Culture of Care

Explore how equity-focused improvement, coaching and lived experience can strengthen staff ...

Bridge to Excellence with Three Rivers Hospital

Bridge to Excellence with Three Rivers Hospital

Join host Brenda McLeod in conversation with Jamie Boyer, German Meza, and Karen Gifford about ...

Bridge to Excellence with Three Rivers Hospital

Join host Brenda McLeod in conversation with Jamie Boyer, German Meza, and Karen Gifford about ...