Academic Journals
Publications from our experts
In the publications listed below, discover how Virginia Mason’s team of health care leaders, providers and staff used process improvement tools and methods to achieve significant gains in quality, safety and patient experience.
Note: Some of these articles may require subscriptions.
Creating an extraordinary experience for women undergoing cystoscopy: A patient-centered approach to process improvement
Tam J, MacDonald E, Sparks DA, Zimmerman J, McNair KV, Zeitler DM, Fox TL, Patel NJ, London AE, Lee UJ. Creating an extraordinary experience for women undergoing cystoscopy: A patient-centered approach to process improvement. Urology. 2023 Feb 7:S0090-4295(23)00095-X. doi: 10.1016/j.urology.2023.01.039. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36758731.
Building a Culture of Respect for People
Chafetz, L., Forsythe, A., Kirby, N., Blackmore, C. and Kaplan, G., 2020. Building a Culture of Respect for People. NEJM Catalyst, 1(6). https://doi.org/10.1056/CAT.19.1110
Defining a New Leadership Model to Stay Relevant in Healthcare
Kaplan GS. Defining a New Leadership Model to Stay Relevant in Healthcare. Frontiers of Health Services Management. 2020;36(3):12-20. doi:10.1097/hap.0000000000000077.
Using Experience-Based Design to Understand the Patient and Caregiver Experience with Delirium
Russ L, Phillips J, Ferris V, London A, Kendall L, Blackmore C. Using experience-based design to understand the patient and caregiver experience with delirium. Patient Experience Journal. 2019;6(1):42-54. doi:10.35680/2372-0247.1298.
Evaluation of the Association of Public Reporting of Patient Ratings of US Primary Care Providers with Inappropriate Care
Kamo, N., Williams, B.L. & Blackmore, C.C. J GEN INTERN MED (2019) 34: 336. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-018-4706-1
Early, Nurse-Directed Sepsis Care
Ferguson, A., Coates, D., Osborn, S., Blackmore, C. and Williams, B. (2019). Early, Nurse-Directed Sepsis Care. AJN, American Journal of Nursing, 119(1), pp.52-58.
Transforming concepts in patient safety: a progress report
Gandhi TK, Kaplan GS, Leap L, et al. BMJ Qual Saf Published Online. 2018;doi: 10.1136/bmjqs-2017-007756.
Applying Lean Methods to Improve Quality and Safety in Surgical Sterile Instrument Processing
Blackmore CC, Bishop R, Luker S, Williams B. Applying lean methods to improve quality and safety in surgical sterile instrument processing. Jt Comm J Qual Patient Saf. 2013; 39(3): 99-105.
Nurse Practitioner-Staffed Clinic at Virginia Mason Improves Care and Lowers Costs for Women with Benign Breast Conditions
Blackmore CC, Edwards JW, Searles C, Wechter D, Mecklenburg R, Kaplan GS. Nurse practitioner-staffed clinic at Virginia Mason improves care and lowers costs for women with benign breast conditions. Health Affairs. 2013; 32(1): 20-6.
Transforming Ward Rounds Through Rounding-in-Flow
Calderon AS, Blackmore CC, Williams BL, et al. Transforming ward rounds through rounding-inflow. J Grad Med Educ. 2014; 6(4): 750-755.
Using Lean to Improve Medication Administration Safety: In Search of the “Perfect Dose”
Ching JM, Long C, Williams BL, Blackmore CC. Using lean to improve medication administration safety: In search of the “perfect dose.” Jt Comm J Qual Patient Saf. 2013; 39(5): 195-204.
Using Lean “Automation With a Human Touch” to Improve Medication Safety: a Step Closer to the “Perfect Dose”
Ching JM, Williams BL, Idemoto LM, Blackmore CC. Using lean “automation with a human touch” to improve medication safety: A step closer to the “perfect dose.” Jt Comm J Qual Patient Saf. 2014; 40(8): 341-350. doi: 10.2146/ajhp140790
Application of Lean Methodology for Improved Quality and Efficiency in Operation Room Instrument Availability
Farrokhi FR, Gunther M, Williams B, Blackmore CC. Application of lean methodology for improved quality and efficiency in operating room instrument availability. J Healthc Qual 2013. DOI: 10.1111/jhq.12053
Using Experience-Based Design to Improve the Care Experience for Patients With Pancreatic Cancer
Hagensen A, London AE, Phillips JJ, Helton W, Picozzi V, Blackmore CC. Using experience-based design to improve the care experience for patients with pancreatic cancer. J Oncol 2016. DOI: 10.1200/JOP.2016.011213
Implementation of a Custom Alert to Prevent Medication-Timing Errors Associated With Computerized Prescriber Order Entry
Idemoto L, Williams B, Ching J, Blackmore CC. Implementation of a custom alert to prevent medication-timing errors associated with computerized prescriber order entry. Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2015; 72(17): 1481-8. doi: 10.2146/ajhp140790
Health Care Scheduling and Access | A Report From the IOM
Kaplan GS. Health care scheduling and access: A report from the IOM. JAMA. July 30, 2015 (online). doi:10.1001/jama.2015.9431
Why Lean Doesn’t Work for Everyone
Kaplan GS, Patterson SH, Ching JM, Blackmore CC. Why Lean doesn’t work for everyone. BMJ Qual Saf. 2014; 0: 1-4.
Bar-Coded Medication Administration Brings Trade-Offs Even With Humane Automation and Lean Approaches
Koppel R. Bar-coded medication administration brings trade-offs even with humane automation and lean approaches. Jt Comm J Qual Patient Saf. 2014; 40(8): 339-40.
The Employer-Led Health Care Revolution
McDonald P, Mecklenburg R, Martin L. The employer-led health care revolution. Harvard Business Review. July/August 2015.
Engaging Frontline Leaders and Staff in Real-Time Improvement
Phillips J, Hebish LJ, Mann S, Ching JM, Blackmore CC. Engaging frontline leaders and staff in real-time improvement. Jt Comm J Qual Patient Saf. 2016; 42(4): 170-178.
Improving Acute Respiratory Infection Care Through Nurse Phone Care and Academic Detailing of Physicians
Pittenger K, Williams B, Mecklenburg R, Blackmore CC. Improving acute respiratory infection care through nurse phone care and academic detailing of physicians. J Am Board Fam Med. 2015; 28(2): 195-204.
Experience-Based Design for Integrating the Patient Care Experience Into Healthcare Improvement: Identifying a Set of Reliable Emotion Words
Russ LR, Phillips J, Brzozowicz K, et al. Experience-based design for integrating the patient care experience into healthcare improvement: Identifying a set of reliable emotion words. Healthcare. 2013; 1-9.
Redesigning an Airway Cart Using Lean Methodology
Weigel W. Redesigning an airway cart using lean methodology. J Clin Anesth. 2016; 33: 273–282.
Pharmacist Prescribing Within an Integrated Health System in Washington
Woolf R, Locke A, Potts C. Pharmacist prescribing within an integrated health system in Washington. Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2016; 73(18): 1416–1624.
Multidisciplinary Evaluation Leads to the Decreased Utilization of Lumbar Spine Fusion: An Observational Cohort Pilot Study
Yanamadala V, Kim Y, Buchlak QD, Wright AK, Babington J, Friedman A, Mecklenburg RS, Farrokhi F, Leveque JC, Sethi RK. Multidisciplinary evaluation leads to the decreased utilization of lumbar spine fusion: An observational cohort pilot study. Spine. 2017; doi: 10.1097/BRS.0000000000002065.
Using Lean Process Improvement to Enhance Safety and Value in Orthopaedic Surgery: The Case of Spine Surgery.
Sethi RK, Yanamadala V, Burton DC, Bess RS. Using Lean Process Improvement to Enhance Safety and Value in Orthopaedic Surgery: The Case of Spine Surgery. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2017; doi: 10.5435/JAAOS-D-17-00030.