An Enhanced Kaizen Event in a Sterile Processing Department of a Rural Hospital: A Case Study

Valentina Nino, David Claudio, Leonardo Valladares and Sean Harris
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Valentina Nino: Mechanical & Industrial Engineering Department, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
David Claudio: Mechanical & Industrial Engineering Department, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
Leonardo Valladares: Mechanical & Industrial Engineering Department, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
Sean Harris: Jake Jabs College of Business & Entrepreneurship, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 23, 1-20

Abstract: Operating Rooms (ORs) generate the largest revenues and losses in a hospital. Without the prompt supply of sterile surgical trays from the Sterile Processing Department (SPD), the OR would not be able to perform surgeries to its busy schedule. Nevertheless, little emphasis has been brought in the medical literature to research on surgical instrument processing in the medical literature. The present study was done applies an Enhanced Kaizen Event (EKE) in the SPD of a rural hospital to identify sources of waste and minimize non-value-added steps in the SPD processes. The EKE consisted of three successive Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycles, which focused on improvements at the departmental level first, then at an area level, and finally at the station level. The EKE yielded an improved streamlined workflow and a new design for the SPD layout, one of its areas, and a workstation. This paper aims at building a methodology, including identified steps. Results exhibited a 35% reduction in travel distance by the staff, eliminating non-value-added processes, reducing errors in the sterilization process, and eliminating cross-contamination for sterilized materials.

Keywords: sterile processing department; lean healthcare; enhanced kaizen event; continuous process improvement; case study (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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