Why Lean Now?

Every day in healthcare, people wait. For answers. For access. For safer, more coordinated care. And too often, they face delays, confusion, or harm—because our systems are broken. The challenge healthcare systems across the country face is to do better (improve quality & safety of care), do more (improve access to care), while containing costs. Many healthcare organizations across the country are looking to the Toyota Production System or Lean to meet these challenges.

A 2019 JAMA study (link) found that $760 to $935 billion is wasted each year in U.S. healthcare—resources that could be used to improve care, reduce harm, and expand access. That kind of waste isn’t just costly—it’s deeply human. Behind every inefficiency is a patient, a family, a caregiver doing their best.

That’s why we’ve embraced Lean/TPS* methodology– having a kaizen mindset of working that centers patients, values people, and empowers everyone to improve care at the front line. We’re not waiting for perfect solutions. We’re making small, meaningful changes every day—together.

Because our patients deserve better. And because better is possible.

*Toyota Production System [To learn more about TSSC (Toyota’s non-profit arm), go to: TSSC -|- About TSSC or TSSC -|- Projects].