Performance Improvement


Defining kanban In Japanese, the term kanban means “visual signal” or “card.” At first glance, it’s hard to believe that a process perfected in a supermarket chain would have implications for health care. In the 1940s, employees from Toyota observed the way that U.S. supermarkets consistently provided their customers with the food they wanted at the time they wanted it — without holding on to massive amounts of inventory. The...
How Can a Kanban System Improve Health Care?
Recent Blog Posts
Case Study | Surgical Setup Reduction Improves...

To be financially viable, a hospital’s operating rooms (ORs) must keep quality and utilization high and expenses low. It’s critical to plan ahead, be prepared, and...

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...

5 Tactics to Break Down Silos and Support...

The Challenge: Inefficiencies continue to plague healthcare due to silos that harm morale, financial performance, and patient experience What are silos? ...

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...

Healthcare Transformation Can’t Wait: 3 Lessons...

The Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated longstanding challenges with patient care and staff engagement in our industry. As leaders, we must look honestly and humbly...

Dr. Gary Kaplan on the recent Warwick Business...

A new way of working within the healthcare system is possible Our industry grapples with extraordinary challenges today. We see and feel them every day as we...

Improving Team Well-Being: Addressing Provider...

Burnout continues to be a leading challenge in healthcare. It can jeopardize patient experience and even quality and safety. Research has found that burnout among...

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...

Selected Resources

Healthcare Improvement Insights

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

Mistake-Proofing Primary Care

Mistake-Proofing Primary Care

Start Your Lean Health Care Journey Learn More Problem Virginia Mason recognized that mistakes and ...

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Mistake-Proofing Primary Care

Start Your Lean Health Care Journey Learn More Problem Virginia Mason recognized that mistakes and ...

Why a Midwest Health System Went to Virginia ...

Why a Midwest Health System Went to Virginia ...

“The fact that Virginia Mason is driven by the same purpose we are – serving patients and ...

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Why a Midwest Health System Went to Virginia Mason Institute for Help

“The fact that Virginia Mason is driven by the same purpose we are – serving patients and ...

Managing Phone Calls in Primary Care

Managing Phone Calls in Primary Care

Problem Responding to patient phone calls at Virginia Mason consumed a great deal of clinic time ...

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Managing Phone Calls in Primary Care

Problem Responding to patient phone calls at Virginia Mason consumed a great deal of clinic time ...