Lean Medical Practice
To physicians, “lean thinking” may sound like another attempt to impose industrial production-line management on medical practices. The philosophy of lean thinking, also known as lean management, is decades-old – and you are probably already practicing many of its’ techniques. The reason to learn more about lean thinking is that it holds the potential to help improve patient flow in all types of medical practices, and ultimately, improve patient care. A lean-thinking approach can assure that your patients remain at the center of all processes in your practice.
Lean healthcare will focus on the functions surrounding (and, too often, slowing down) the flow of patients – from telephones to scheduling to provision care to the conclusion of the encounter. Remember, there is no one right way for a medical practice to function. Yet there are steps that all practices can take to improve efficiency and patient flow while providing exceptional customer service. This, indeed, is the ideal patient encounter.
Our Lean process presentations will focus on the most important asset of your practice- your physician’s time. Then we will go on a journey to explore ways to improve your patient flow. All of this will include worksheets and benchmarks that are easily understandable and trainable to your office employees.
Overall, the most important factor is one that you cannot see and you cannot buy: your practice’s culture. Basically, lean thinking systems aim to provide the best quality at the lowest cost and in the shorten time through elimination of waste. In essence, lean thinking means doing more for your patients with less. NOT working harder, but smarter. Therefore, Lean Healthcare is about improving your practices culture. The tools are ‘common-sense’ and vary with your specific environment.
The CMGMA monthly meetings will focus on the vocabulary, tools, methods and measurements that will allow you to take back to your practice to implement sustainable change…. Keep checking the CMGMA web site, as we will provide additional information as we approach our monthly meetings.
Lean Management Team:
Chuck Beasley (UT)
Harding Aslinger (UT)
Jerry Sterling (Sterling Business Solutions LLC)
Mike Claudio (EHD Tech)