Episode #205 is a conversation with Joe Schnur, VP Business Development at Intelligent M, a company that "designs data-driven hand hygiene compliance improvement solutions for hospitals that dramatically reduce healthcare-acquired infections and their associated costs." Joe and I share a passion for improving patient safety and we've had a number of great conversations comparing notes on the problem and the different ways we need to work toward solving it. We decided to finally record one of those discussions for a podcast.
In the podcast, Joe shares some shocking statistics about "hand hygiene compliance" - that while hospitals report numbers that are far higher, the typical care provider washes or cleans their hands only about 20% of the time. One management challenge (and sales challenge for Joe) is that hospital executives might find it too easy to sit back and point to the inaccurately high numbers that claim 90%+ compliance (numbers that are based on sampling instead of real data).
When I first started talking to Joe, I was skeptical about a "monitoring" technology for healthcare professionals, since I see hand hygiene as a system problem (lack of time, empty gel dispensers) that management has to work to fix... it's a process problem. But, I think (as in many cases) there is a role for technology that can be supportive of people (patients and staff) and can enable systemic improvement. What's the proper balance between individual accountability and the role of "the system?" I'm curious to hear what you think (you can post a comment on this post).
For a link to this episode, refer people to www.leanblog.org/205.
For earlier episodes of the Lean Blog Podcast, visit the main Podcast page at www.leanpodcast.org, which includes information on how to subscribe via RSS or via Apple iTunes.
Podcasts are sponsored by KaiNexus and their continuous improvement software platform -- www.KaiNexus.com
Sunday, July 20, 2014
Monday, July 14, 2014
204 - Paul Plsek, Lean & Innovation at Virginia Mason
Joining me today for Episode #204 is Paul Plsek (@PaulPlsek) and we're talking about his excellent book (a Shingo Research Award recipient this year) titled Accelerating Health Care Transformation with Lean and Innovation: The Virginia Mason Experience. Virginia Mason, of course, is Virginia Mason Medical Center, the outstanding Lean organization that was named "Hospital of the Decade" by Leapfrog Group.
In our discussion, we touch on topics including how you can be Lean AND innovative, how an organization and people can LEARN to be innovative, and what is the health system board's role in this innovation and improvement strategy? I think you'll enjoy the discussion (and the book!).
You can learn more about Paul, his book, and his work at his website: www.directedcreativity.com.
For a link to this episode, refer people to www.leanblog.org/204.
For earlier episodes of the Lean Blog Podcast, visit the main Podcast page at www.leanpodcast.org, which includes information on how to subscribe via RSS or via Apple iTunes.
Podcasts are sponsored by KaiNexus and their continuous improvement software platform -- www.KaiNexus.com
In our discussion, we touch on topics including how you can be Lean AND innovative, how an organization and people can LEARN to be innovative, and what is the health system board's role in this innovation and improvement strategy? I think you'll enjoy the discussion (and the book!).
You can learn more about Paul, his book, and his work at his website: www.directedcreativity.com.
For a link to this episode, refer people to www.leanblog.org/204.
For earlier episodes of the Lean Blog Podcast, visit the main Podcast page at www.leanpodcast.org, which includes information on how to subscribe via RSS or via Apple iTunes.
Podcasts are sponsored by KaiNexus and their continuous improvement software platform -- www.KaiNexus.com
Friday, July 11, 2014
