title: Six easy steps on how to create a lean sigma value stream map for a multidisciplinary clinical operation.
abstract: Value stream mapping (VSM) is a very useful technique to visualize and quantify the complex workflows often seen in clinical environments. VSM brings together multidisciplinary teams to identify parts of processes, collect data, and develop interventional ideas. An example involving pediatric MRI with general anesthesia VSM is outlined. As the process progresses, the map shows a large delay between the fax referral and the date of the scheduled and registered appointment. Ideas for improved efficiency and metrics were identified to measure improvement within a 6-month period, and an intervention package was developed for the department.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland. Electronic address: ebauer5@jhmi.edu.
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Grooms
authors.affiliation: Johns Hopkins Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
authors.forename: Soumya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mamidala
authors.affiliation: Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nagy
mesh_terms: D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000592:standards*; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational / Q000592:standards*; D017146:Models, Organizational; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000592:standards*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D017064:Process Assessment, Health Care / Q000592:standards*; D058996:Quality Improvement / Q000592:standards*; D011871:Radiology / Q000592:standards*; D014481:United States
keywords: Value stream map; clinical operations; pediatric MRI general anesthesia; practice quality improvement