Volume 18, Number 1—January 2012
Research
Use of Lean Response to Improve Pandemic Influenza Surge in Public Health Laboratories
Judith L. Isaac-Renton
, Yin Chang, Natalie Prystajecky, Martin Petric, Annie Mak, Brendan Abbott, Benjamin Paris, K.C. Decker, Lauren Pittenger, Steven Guercio, Jeff Stott, and Joseph D. Miller
, Yin Chang, Natalie Prystajecky, Martin Petric, Annie Mak, Brendan Abbott, Benjamin Paris, K.C. Decker, Lauren Pittenger, Steven Guercio, Jeff Stott, and Joseph D. MillerTable
Lean methods used to improve laboratory workflow
| Method | Definition |
|---|---|
| Kaizen | The incremental, ongoing improvement process aimed at creating efficiencies and improving all functions. Productivity increases are attributed to eliminating waste in the system and having all staff participate in the process. |
| Value stream mapping | A technique used to identify the materials and information required in each step of a process to deliver a product to a consumer |
| Andon | A visual cue used to monitor functions and to notify workers of a quality or process issue |
| 5S | The process of sorting, storing, sweeping, sustaining, and standardizing, which results in a visually managed environment that allows staff to perform tasks more efficiently |
