Blog

Lean design can tackle a range of wastes

Symposium speakers say studies indicate that employees spend 75-95 percent of their time doing things that increase costs and create no value for the customer

By Healthcare Facilities Today


“Most studies indicate that employees spend 75-95 percent of their time doing things that increase costs and create no value for the customer,” said Amanda Mewborn, senior healthcare operational planner, Perkins+Will, when she joined colleague Marvina Williams, clinical operations specialist, Perkins+Will, during Healthcare Design magazine’s webinar  “Using Lean in Healthcare Facility Planning and Design.”

Healthcare Design's senior editor, Anne DiNardo, shared the speakers' list of costly and potentially unproductive activities in a recent blog. The list included

• Overproduction 

• Inventory

• Transportation

• Waiting

The speakers shared case studies where Lean principles helped create optimal designs, DiNardo wrote.

In one, they talked about the use of process modeling to help determine the appropriate size of waiting spaces and number of seats for outpatient clinics in a new medical office building.

“Waiting spaces are often a patient’s first impression when visiting a clinical department or physician office,” Williams said. “Creating adequate spaces that decrease the amount of stress and anxiety are important.”  

Read the blog.

 

 

 

 



December 23, 2013


Topic Area: Blogs


Recent Posts

RiverSpring Living Breaks Ground on River's Edge Senior Living Community

Occupancy is expected in December 2028.


Encompass Health Reveals Plans to Build Inpatient Rehabilitation Hospital in Post Falls, Idaho

The hospital is expected to open in 2028 and will be part of Encompass Health's national network of inpatient rehabilitation hospitals.


Creating Compassionate Spaces in Healthcare

A new bereavement room at the Children’s Hospital of Michigan NICU aims to provide peace and privacy for families.


Study Shows Connection Between Odor and Patient Experience

A 2024 study identifies the top smells in hospital waiting rooms and how they impact the patient and visitor experience.


Boca Grande Health Clinic Opens in Florida

The clinic will offer primary and urgent care, plus expanded laboratory and imaging services.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.