Why Lean Now?

Healthcare reform is challenging healthcare systems across the country to do better (improve quality & safety of care), do more (improve access to care), and do it for less (lower costs). Many healthcare organizations across the country are looking to the Toyota Production System or Lean to meet these challenges.

In a landmark report published by the Institute of Medicine over a decade ago it was reported that as many as 98,000 people die each year due to preventable medical errors. While healthcare in America is the most expensive in the world, unfortunately healthcare outcomes in America are not always the best. In addition, many individuals and families do not have health care insurance which can result in poor access to care.

The Affordable Care Act, commonly known as “Obama Care”, is challenging healthcare systems across the country to do better (improve quality & safety of care), do more (improve access to care), and do it for less (lower costs). Many healthcare organizations are looking to the Toyota Production System (TPS), or Lean as it is called in healthcare, to meet these challenges