Waste

Understanding Value & Waste Value Added Activity Any activity that changes the form, fit, or function of a product/transaction — OR — Something customers are willing to pay for Eliminate Minimize Unnecessary Waste Necessary Waste Value Any activity that absorbs resources but adds no value is a Waste Waste is a Symptom; need to find root causes and eliminate them Waste points to problems within the system Non-Value Added Activity Any activity that absorbs resources but adds no value is a Waste Maximize

Waste doesn’t add value to patient, healthcare provider or staff 7 wastes originate from Toyota (Taiichi Ohno – founder of TPS) 2 further wastes identified Transport Inventory Motion Automating an inefficient process Waiting Overproduction Over processing Defects Skills appropriate to task Waste doesn’t add value to patient, healthcare provider or staff

Transport (Moving Things) Unnecessary movement of items and materials Examples: Transporting samples from one location to another Transporting slides from one rack to another Poor layouts lead to things being moved multiple times Movement doesn’t equal work!

Inventory Inventory is work in progress and stock Examples: Over-ordering consumables & paper Different batch sizes at each process step For example Stock 500,000 sheets of paper – 4 years 9 years bleach 14 months printer cartridges Out of date stock Catheters, scalpel blades, reagent People Tests waiting to be performed Patients on waiting list

Motion Motion that does not add value to the process Examples: Location of specimen reception Poor layout of lab / rooms Searching for equipment Location of computers, printers, faxes & copiers Stretching & carrying Searching Walking

Automating an Inefficient Process Buy technology without redesigning process Examples: Systems/processors implemented without process changes

Waiting Unbalanced activities – waiting for previous/next process Examples: Staff waiting for other members of staff Staff waiting for machines & deliveries Waiting for shared equipment (computer, telephone) Waiting for decisions

Over Production Processing too much, too early, just in case Examples: Batching samples Repeating tests before next test is due

Over Processing Things we do that do not add value, but add cost Inappropriate processing / steps / activities Examples: Duplicate / inappropriate testing Duplicate data entry Duplicate QC checks

Defects Defective work – get it right first time, every time No rework Examples: Chasing missing / illegible information Inappropriate referrals Repeated checking

Skills & Creativity Poor utilisation of workforce Examples: BMS staff processing samples Data entry by screening staff Managers doing admin duties Staff ideas not captured

Waste Summary By identifying & eliminating waste: Safety is improved Quality levels rise Staff engagement & productivity is improved Costs may be reduced