Lean methodology: supporting battlefield medical fitness by cutting process waste.
Healthcare has long looked at decreasing risk in communication and patient care processes. Increasing the simplicity in communication and patient care process is a newer concept contained in Lean methodology. Lean is a strategy for achieving improvement in performance through the elimination of steps that use resources without contributing to customer value. This is known as cutting waste or nonvalue added steps. This article outlines how the use of Lean improved a key process that supports battlefield medical fitness.
Huggins
Elaine J
EJ
30th Space Wing's AFSO21 Office, Vandenberg AFB, California, USA. elaine.huggins@vandenberg.af.mil
D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D006801:Humans; D008887:Military Medicine / Q000592:standards*; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D017064:Process Assessment, Health Care; D017749:Total Quality Management / Q000379:methods*; D014481:United States