Episode #207 is part two of my conversation with Chris Jerry, founder of The Emily Jerry Foundation. The foundation was created in the aftermath of the tragic death of his daughter, Emily - a preventable medical error caused by a number of factors and bad systems. You can read Emily's story here.
In the first part (Episode #203), Chris told the story of what happened. In part two, we talk about topics including:
A systems view vs. blaming an individual
Chris skipping over the "anger" phase of grief
Why his barber required more certification than a pharmacy tech compounding medications?
"Emily's Law" was passed in 2009 in Ohio and he's working on this nationally
How he learned his ex-wife pursued the criminal charges against Cropp
Publicly forgiving Cropp and meeting him face to face for the first time
How we're all fallible and capable of making a mistake
All of the elements of the system have to fit together and work together
Differences between advances in automotive safety over time and healthcare safety
Warning people without demonizing the individuals
The importance of patient and family involvement
How to reduce hospital acquired infections - hand washing!
How much progress is being made in the patient safety battle?
For a link to this episode, refer people to www.leanblog.org/207. Part one was at www.leanblog.org/203.
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
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
Friday, August 08, 2014
206 - Ed Pound, "Factory Physics for Managers"
My guest for episode #206 is Ed Pound, co-author of the book Factory Physics for Managers: How Leaders Improve Performance in a Post-Lean Six Sigma World that was released in April. It is, of course, a new version of the original Factory Physics textbook that I used in college and was the subject of Podcast #25 with Prof. Mark Spearman.
Ed is the chief operations officer of Factory Physics, Inc., a company started by Spearman.
In the podcast, we talk about the term "Factory Physics" (including the origin of the term) and what it means, including understanding the relationships between capacity, throughput, inventory, and variability. Ed also brings up great points about "dogma" versus manufacturing science, including dogma that can get companies in trouble, including:
- Thou shalt have no finished goods inventory
- Thou shalt have single piece flow, always
- Thou shalt always have a moving assembly line
We also talk about the subtitle of the book and what he means by a "post-Lean Six Sigma world" (it doesn't mean a world without Lean or Six Sigma). It's a great discussion and I hope you'll enjoy it, even if you don't work in factories. The lessons and ideas are certainly applicable.
For a link to this episode, refer people to www.leanblog.org/206.
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
Ed is the chief operations officer of Factory Physics, Inc., a company started by Spearman.
In the podcast, we talk about the term "Factory Physics" (including the origin of the term) and what it means, including understanding the relationships between capacity, throughput, inventory, and variability. Ed also brings up great points about "dogma" versus manufacturing science, including dogma that can get companies in trouble, including:
- Thou shalt have no finished goods inventory
- Thou shalt have single piece flow, always
- Thou shalt always have a moving assembly line
We also talk about the subtitle of the book and what he means by a "post-Lean Six Sigma world" (it doesn't mean a world without Lean or Six Sigma). It's a great discussion and I hope you'll enjoy it, even if you don't work in factories. The lessons and ideas are certainly applicable.
For a link to this episode, refer people to www.leanblog.org/206.
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
205 - Joe Schnur, Hand Hygiene & Patient Safety
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
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
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
Sunday, June 22, 2014
203 - Chris Jerry, The Emily Jerry Foundation, Part 1
My guest for Episode #203 (and future follow ups) is Chris Jerry, founder of The Emily Jerry Foundation. The foundation was created in the aftermath of the tragic death of his daughter, Emily - a preventable medical error caused by a number of factors and bad systems.
I first learned about this tragedy a few years back and I blogged about it: "A Pharmacist’s Jail Cell Interview – What Good Does Blame Do?" Some people ask, "Why are you defending a pharmacist who screwed up and killed a sweet little girl?" The main victims were, of course, Emily and her family. That doesn't mean that a simplistic response of punishing and jailing one person will do anything to protect other patients in the future... and Chris Jerry agrees with that view.
I saw Chris speak at a conference earlier this year and we finally found an opportunity to record a podcast after talking about this for a few years off and on. The story is powerful and I admire Chris for his work and advocacy to help others -- as a way of honoring Emily and her life and memory.
In this first part, Chris tells the story of what happened. I'll release the remaining audio as either one or two more parts in future podcast episodes.
For a link to this episode, refer people to www.leanblog.org/203.
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
I first learned about this tragedy a few years back and I blogged about it: "A Pharmacist’s Jail Cell Interview – What Good Does Blame Do?" Some people ask, "Why are you defending a pharmacist who screwed up and killed a sweet little girl?" The main victims were, of course, Emily and her family. That doesn't mean that a simplistic response of punishing and jailing one person will do anything to protect other patients in the future... and Chris Jerry agrees with that view.
I saw Chris speak at a conference earlier this year and we finally found an opportunity to record a podcast after talking about this for a few years off and on. The story is powerful and I admire Chris for his work and advocacy to help others -- as a way of honoring Emily and her life and memory.
In this first part, Chris tells the story of what happened. I'll release the remaining audio as either one or two more parts in future podcast episodes.
For a link to this episode, refer people to www.leanblog.org/203.
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
Thursday, June 12, 2014
202 - Patrick Graupp, TWI in Healthcare
My guest today for Episode 202 is Patrick Graupp, co-author of the excellent book Getting to Standard Work in Health Care: Using TWI to Create a Foundation for Quality Care, co-authored with Martha Purrier from Virginia Mason Medical Center. If you're brand new to the Training Within Industry (TWI) model, you might want to first listen to Episode 196, with Jim Huntzinger, on "What is TWI?"
Patrick is also a senior master trainer with the TWI Institute. His other publications include the book The TWI Workbook: Essential Skills for Supervisors, a Shingo Research and Professional Publication Prize Recipient for 2007 and Implementing TWI: Creating and Managing a Skills-Based Culture which was published by Productivity Press.
For a link to this episode, refer people to www.leanblog.org/202.
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
Patrick is also a senior master trainer with the TWI Institute. His other publications include the book The TWI Workbook: Essential Skills for Supervisors, a Shingo Research and Professional Publication Prize Recipient for 2007 and Implementing TWI: Creating and Managing a Skills-Based Culture which was published by Productivity Press.
For a link to this episode, refer people to www.leanblog.org/202.
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
Thursday, June 05, 2014
197 - Kim Barnas, "Beyond Heroes"
My guest for episode #197 is a hospital leader I really respect, Kim Barnas, author of the new book Beyond Heroes. Until very recently, Kim was a Senior VP at ThedaCare, leading Appleton Medical Center and Theda Clark Hospital. I've seen Kim speak to groups at ThedaCare and a few conferences and she has a lot to teach us about Lean leadership, using her stories and experiences in a way that's very powerful. I hope you'll check out the book.
In the podcast today, we talk about topics including her initial reactions to Lean when first introduced to it as a hospital leader, why "heroes" are overrated and sometimes create "chaos" in healthcare, and the importance of moving beyond tools and projects to a Lean culture and management system.
Kim talks about the need to "create more value" (not just reduce waste), saying "just trying to do more with less makes no sense - you need a plan." We also talk about programs like GM's "Speak up for Safety," where she says that speaking up "needs to be a conversation, not a reporting" transaction.
Please leave a comment and join the discussion about the podcast by visiting the blog page for this episode at http://www.leanblog.org/197
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.
You can also listen to streaming episodes of the podcast via Stitcher: http://landing.stitcher.com/?vurl=leanblog
If you have feedback on the podcast, or any questions for me or my guests, you can email me at leanpodcast@gmail.com or you can call and leave a voicemail by calling the "Lean Line" at (817) 776-LEAN (817-776-5326) or contact me via Skype id "mgraban". Please give your location and your first name. Any comments (email or voicemail) might be used in follow ups to the podcast.
Please leave a comment and join the discussion about the podcast by visiting the blog page for this episode at http://www.leanblog.org/196
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.
You can also listen to streaming episodes of the podcast via Stitcher: http://landing.stitcher.com/?vurl=leanblog
If you have feedback on the podcast, or any questions for me or my guests, you can email me at leanpodcast@gmail.com or you can call and leave a voicemail by calling the "Lean Line" at (817) 776-LEAN (817-776-5326) or contact me via Skype id "mgraban". Please give your location and your first name. Any comments (email or voicemail) might be used in follow ups to the podcast.
In the podcast today, we talk about topics including her initial reactions to Lean when first introduced to it as a hospital leader, why "heroes" are overrated and sometimes create "chaos" in healthcare, and the importance of moving beyond tools and projects to a Lean culture and management system.
Kim talks about the need to "create more value" (not just reduce waste), saying "just trying to do more with less makes no sense - you need a plan." We also talk about programs like GM's "Speak up for Safety," where she says that speaking up "needs to be a conversation, not a reporting" transaction.
Please leave a comment and join the discussion about the podcast by visiting the blog page for this episode at http://www.leanblog.org/197
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.
You can also listen to streaming episodes of the podcast via Stitcher: http://landing.stitcher.com/?vurl=leanblog
If you have feedback on the podcast, or any questions for me or my guests, you can email me at leanpodcast@gmail.com or you can call and leave a voicemail by calling the "Lean Line" at (817) 776-LEAN (817-776-5326) or contact me via Skype id "mgraban". Please give your location and your first name. Any comments (email or voicemail) might be used in follow ups to the podcast.
Please leave a comment and join the discussion about the podcast by visiting the blog page for this episode at http://www.leanblog.org/196
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.
You can also listen to streaming episodes of the podcast via Stitcher: http://landing.stitcher.com/?vurl=leanblog
If you have feedback on the podcast, or any questions for me or my guests, you can email me at leanpodcast@gmail.com or you can call and leave a voicemail by calling the "Lean Line" at (817) 776-LEAN (817-776-5326) or contact me via Skype id "mgraban". Please give your location and your first name. Any comments (email or voicemail) might be used in follow ups to the podcast.
Monday, June 02, 2014
201 - WorkOut Process at Mary Greeley Medical Center
Joining me for episode #201 are Ron Smith, a Process Improvement Coordinator/Lean Facilitator at Mary Greeley Medical Center (in Iowa) and Suz Kaprich, a consultant with KaiNexus (disclosure: I'm on the management team of KaiNexus and have an ownership stake in the company).
Today, they are talking about a three-month "WorkOut" process that Ron and Suz ran recently at the hospital. Given the challenges in today's healthcare environment, the focus was on cost reduction and financial benefits, but they of course made improvements to the timeliness and quality of patient care, as well. The total financial impact, validated by finance, was about $800,000 in that time. The goal was not just to drive short-term improvements, but to also demonstrate how improvement was possible... to help spark a culture of ongoing continuous improvement.
Through the course of the WorkOut, Mary Greeley Medical Center used the KaiNexus web-based software platform to facilitate and track their improvements and results and they remain a customer of KaiNexus for their ongoing improvement efforts.
For a link to this episode, refer people to www.leanblog.org/201.
For earlier episodes of the Lean Blog Podcast, visit the main Podcast page at www.leancast.org, which includes information on how to subscribe via RSS or via Apple iTunes.
Today, they are talking about a three-month "WorkOut" process that Ron and Suz ran recently at the hospital. Given the challenges in today's healthcare environment, the focus was on cost reduction and financial benefits, but they of course made improvements to the timeliness and quality of patient care, as well. The total financial impact, validated by finance, was about $800,000 in that time. The goal was not just to drive short-term improvements, but to also demonstrate how improvement was possible... to help spark a culture of ongoing continuous improvement.
Through the course of the WorkOut, Mary Greeley Medical Center used the KaiNexus web-based software platform to facilitate and track their improvements and results and they remain a customer of KaiNexus for their ongoing improvement efforts.
For a link to this episode, refer people to www.leanblog.org/201.
For earlier episodes of the Lean Blog Podcast, visit the main Podcast page at www.leancast.org, which includes information on how to subscribe via RSS or via Apple iTunes.
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
200 - Paul Spiegelman, "Patients Come Second"
My guest for episode 200 is Paul Spiegelman, author of the book Patients Come Second: Leading Change by Changing the Way You Lead. Today, we're talking about his book and its provocative title - what do you mean patients don't come first? What about this trend for "patient-centered care" (and why wasn't it patient-centered to begin with?).
In the podcast, Paul talks about:
The book's title and how it was meant to be provocative
Why focusing on engaged employees leads to better patient care and more success for the organization
How do we crate engagement?
Why is it important to connect things to purpose and values?
Why is being vulnerable important and why is that the sign of a strong leader?
And more....
Please leave a comment and join the discussion about the podcast by visiting the blog page for this episode at http://www.leanblog.org/200.
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.
In the podcast, Paul talks about:
The book's title and how it was meant to be provocative
Why focusing on engaged employees leads to better patient care and more success for the organization
How do we crate engagement?
Why is it important to connect things to purpose and values?
Why is being vulnerable important and why is that the sign of a strong leader?
And more....
Please leave a comment and join the discussion about the podcast by visiting the blog page for this episode at http://www.leanblog.org/200.
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.
Thursday, May 22, 2014
199 - Jeff Gothelf, LeanUX
Joining me for episode #199 is Jeff Gothelf (@jboogie), talking about "Lean UX" or "Lean User Experience," a key method for software development, usually used in conjunction with design thinking, agile development, and Lean Startup business practices. Jeff is author of the book Lean UX: Applying Lean Principles to Improve User Experience and he is Managing Director at Neo, the global product innovation company.
Jeff is teaching a workshop in Austin on June 10 called "Lean UX Bootcamp: Agility through cross-functional collaboration."
I barely know anything about LeanUX, but have chatted with Jeff before and read the first few chapters of his book... but my role here is to just ask questions... Jeff will explain Lean UX to us today. I'm taken by the parallels between Lean UX (along with Lean Startup) and more general "Lean," as I know it in manufacturing and healthcare.
It's about deeply understand the customer and their needs, forming hypotheses, and iterating in an experimental and data-driven way... a departure from the old way of the designer "knowing" what the customer wants or a software company writing a huge specification document (about "half of which never got used," says Jeff). Lean UX designers are problem solvers, they "get out of the building," and they get their designs (or even just sketches) in front of customers to get feedback early and often. It's better to do small, inexpensive tests of change... if you're going to fail, better to fail early and fail often... and we'll be more successful as a result. That's good solid Lean thinking and Kaizen thinking.
Please leave a comment and join the discussion about the podcast by visiting the blog page for this episode at http://www.leanblog.org/199.
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.
Jeff is teaching a workshop in Austin on June 10 called "Lean UX Bootcamp: Agility through cross-functional collaboration."
I barely know anything about LeanUX, but have chatted with Jeff before and read the first few chapters of his book... but my role here is to just ask questions... Jeff will explain Lean UX to us today. I'm taken by the parallels between Lean UX (along with Lean Startup) and more general "Lean," as I know it in manufacturing and healthcare.
It's about deeply understand the customer and their needs, forming hypotheses, and iterating in an experimental and data-driven way... a departure from the old way of the designer "knowing" what the customer wants or a software company writing a huge specification document (about "half of which never got used," says Jeff). Lean UX designers are problem solvers, they "get out of the building," and they get their designs (or even just sketches) in front of customers to get feedback early and often. It's better to do small, inexpensive tests of change... if you're going to fail, better to fail early and fail often... and we'll be more successful as a result. That's good solid Lean thinking and Kaizen thinking.
Please leave a comment and join the discussion about the podcast by visiting the blog page for this episode at http://www.leanblog.org/199.
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.
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
198 - Harry Kenworthy, Lean in Government
Episode #198 is a discussion with Harry Kenworthy about his work bringing Lean into local and state governments. We had a great conversation that touches on the influence of Dr. W. Edwards Deming and many other concepts that might be of interest even if you're not interested in "Lean Government" and the work happening there.
Harry is Principal and Manager of the Quality and Productivity Improvement Center (QPIC, LLC), a consulting organization he founded in 1984 and has been with full time since 2004. He worked with Dr. Deming in 1983-85 on a series of 2 day seminars throughout the US, sponsored by MIT. He has spoken at over 90 conferences on Quality, Productivity, LEAN, and Six Sigma, and has been published several magazines including Quality Progress and Purchasing. He also had working relationships with Dr. Joseph Juran and Dorian Shainin.
He was one of the first practitioners to apply LEAN in the Government sector in the mid-90's. Harry was also a Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award Examiner from 1989-1991, a licensed Professional Engineer and a Certified Quality Engineer.
He worked at a NYSE listed, global manufacturer, for 26 years in a variety of capacities: Operations Manager, Division Manager, Group VP and, for his last 3 years, as Corporate VP, Manufacturing. He was the Executive Lean Six Sigma (LSS) Champion: leading the LSS effort and developing the LSS training program, which incorporated the best of traditional Six Sigma (DMAIC), LEAN, and a series of Specialized Problem Solving Techniques. He provided LSS training in the US, Europe, Japan and China.
For 9 years, he was on the Board of Directors of a Japanese Joint Venture based in Nagoya, Japan. The JV was a key supplier to Toyota and Harry was able to learn about LEAN through Toyota. He also had a long term relationship with JUSE (Japanese Union of Scientists and Engineers) which administered the Deming Prize in Japan and had the honor of visiting several Deming Prize winning companies.
Harry holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Materials Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and an MBA in Finance from Syracuse University.
Please leave a comment and join the discussion about the podcast by visiting the blog page for this episode at http://www.leanblog.org/198.
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.
Harry is Principal and Manager of the Quality and Productivity Improvement Center (QPIC, LLC), a consulting organization he founded in 1984 and has been with full time since 2004. He worked with Dr. Deming in 1983-85 on a series of 2 day seminars throughout the US, sponsored by MIT. He has spoken at over 90 conferences on Quality, Productivity, LEAN, and Six Sigma, and has been published several magazines including Quality Progress and Purchasing. He also had working relationships with Dr. Joseph Juran and Dorian Shainin.
He was one of the first practitioners to apply LEAN in the Government sector in the mid-90's. Harry was also a Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award Examiner from 1989-1991, a licensed Professional Engineer and a Certified Quality Engineer.
He worked at a NYSE listed, global manufacturer, for 26 years in a variety of capacities: Operations Manager, Division Manager, Group VP and, for his last 3 years, as Corporate VP, Manufacturing. He was the Executive Lean Six Sigma (LSS) Champion: leading the LSS effort and developing the LSS training program, which incorporated the best of traditional Six Sigma (DMAIC), LEAN, and a series of Specialized Problem Solving Techniques. He provided LSS training in the US, Europe, Japan and China.
For 9 years, he was on the Board of Directors of a Japanese Joint Venture based in Nagoya, Japan. The JV was a key supplier to Toyota and Harry was able to learn about LEAN through Toyota. He also had a long term relationship with JUSE (Japanese Union of Scientists and Engineers) which administered the Deming Prize in Japan and had the honor of visiting several Deming Prize winning companies.
Harry holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Materials Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and an MBA in Finance from Syracuse University.
Please leave a comment and join the discussion about the podcast by visiting the blog page for this episode at http://www.leanblog.org/198.
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.
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
197 - Kim Barnas, "Beyond Heroes"
My guest for episode #197 is a hospital leader I really respect, Kim Barnas, author of the new book Beyond Heroes. Until very recently, Kim was a Senior VP at ThedaCare, leading Appleton Medical Center and Theda Clark Hospital. I've seen Kim speak to groups at ThedaCare and a few conferences and she has a lot to teach us about Lean leadership, using her stories and experiences in a way that's very powerful. I hope you'll check out the book.
In the podcast today, we talk about topics including her initial reactions to Lean when first introduced to it as a hospital leader, why "heroes" are overrated and sometimes create "chaos" in healthcare, and the importance of moving beyond tools and projects to a Lean culture and management system.
Kim talks about the need to "create more value" (not just reduce waste), saying "just trying to do more with less makes no sense - you need a plan." We also talk about programs like GM's "Speak up for Safety," where she says that speaking up "needs to be a conversation, not a reporting" transaction.
Please leave a comment and join the discussion about the podcast by visiting the blog page for this episode at http://www.leanblog.org/197
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.
You can also listen to streaming episodes of the podcast via Stitcher: http://landing.stitcher.com/?vurl=leanblog
If you have feedback on the podcast, or any questions for me or my guests, you can email me at leanpodcast@gmail.com or you can call and leave a voicemail by calling the "Lean Line" at (817) 776-LEAN (817-776-5326) or contact me via Skype id "mgraban". Please give your location and your first name. Any comments (email or voicemail) might be used in follow ups to the podcast.
Please leave a comment and join the discussion about the podcast by visiting the blog page for this episode at http://www.leanblog.org/196
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.
You can also listen to streaming episodes of the podcast via Stitcher: http://landing.stitcher.com/?vurl=leanblog
If you have feedback on the podcast, or any questions for me or my guests, you can email me at leanpodcast@gmail.com or you can call and leave a voicemail by calling the "Lean Line" at (817) 776-LEAN (817-776-5326) or contact me via Skype id "mgraban". Please give your location and your first name. Any comments (email or voicemail) might be used in follow ups to the podcast.
In the podcast today, we talk about topics including her initial reactions to Lean when first introduced to it as a hospital leader, why "heroes" are overrated and sometimes create "chaos" in healthcare, and the importance of moving beyond tools and projects to a Lean culture and management system.
Kim talks about the need to "create more value" (not just reduce waste), saying "just trying to do more with less makes no sense - you need a plan." We also talk about programs like GM's "Speak up for Safety," where she says that speaking up "needs to be a conversation, not a reporting" transaction.
Please leave a comment and join the discussion about the podcast by visiting the blog page for this episode at http://www.leanblog.org/197
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.
You can also listen to streaming episodes of the podcast via Stitcher: http://landing.stitcher.com/?vurl=leanblog
If you have feedback on the podcast, or any questions for me or my guests, you can email me at leanpodcast@gmail.com or you can call and leave a voicemail by calling the "Lean Line" at (817) 776-LEAN (817-776-5326) or contact me via Skype id "mgraban". Please give your location and your first name. Any comments (email or voicemail) might be used in follow ups to the podcast.
Please leave a comment and join the discussion about the podcast by visiting the blog page for this episode at http://www.leanblog.org/196
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.
You can also listen to streaming episodes of the podcast via Stitcher: http://landing.stitcher.com/?vurl=leanblog
If you have feedback on the podcast, or any questions for me or my guests, you can email me at leanpodcast@gmail.com or you can call and leave a voicemail by calling the "Lean Line" at (817) 776-LEAN (817-776-5326) or contact me via Skype id "mgraban". Please give your location and your first name. Any comments (email or voicemail) might be used in follow ups to the podcast.
Sunday, March 16, 2014
196 - Jim Huntzinger, What is TWI?
My guest for episode 196 is Jim Huntzinger, founder of Lean Frontiers. Today, we're talking about the Training Within Industry methodology and his new website WhatIsTWI.com.
We are discussing topics including what a typical TWI "journey" looks like for an organization, how TWI is such a fundamental Lean concept/method, and some examples of how TWI is helping organizations in various industries, including healthcare. What's the latest in the seven years since our first podcast on this topic?
Please leave a comment and join the discussion about the podcast by visiting the blog page for this episode at http://www.leanblog.org/196
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.
You can also listen to streaming episodes of the podcast via Stitcher: http://landing.stitcher.com/?vurl=leanblog
If you have feedback on the podcast, or any questions for me or my guests, you can email me at leanpodcast@gmail.com or you can call and leave a voicemail by calling the "Lean Line" at (817) 776-LEAN (817-776-5326) or contact me via Skype id "mgraban". Please give your location and your first name. Any comments (email or voicemail) might be used in follow ups to the podcast.
We are discussing topics including what a typical TWI "journey" looks like for an organization, how TWI is such a fundamental Lean concept/method, and some examples of how TWI is helping organizations in various industries, including healthcare. What's the latest in the seven years since our first podcast on this topic?
Please leave a comment and join the discussion about the podcast by visiting the blog page for this episode at http://www.leanblog.org/196
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.
You can also listen to streaming episodes of the podcast via Stitcher: http://landing.stitcher.com/?vurl=leanblog
If you have feedback on the podcast, or any questions for me or my guests, you can email me at leanpodcast@gmail.com or you can call and leave a voicemail by calling the "Lean Line" at (817) 776-LEAN (817-776-5326) or contact me via Skype id "mgraban". Please give your location and your first name. Any comments (email or voicemail) might be used in follow ups to the podcast.
Sunday, March 02, 2014
195 - Steve Montague, Lean TeamSTEPPS for Patient Safety
Joining me for episode #195 is my friend Steve Montague from LifeWings. Steve and I met initially through our shared interest in Lean and, like Ron Pereira, we discovered we both lived in Keller, Texas (I've since moved to San Antonio).
Steve is a retired Navy pilot and currently flies for a major commercial airline. He's also been involved, through LifeWings, in the movement to bring aviation safety practices (and culture) to healthcare via "Crew Resource Management" or "TeamSTEPPS." He's also been on the forefront of combining Lean and TeamSTEPPS, something we both agree is a great idea.
In honor of National Patient Safety Awareness Week, we talk about topics including:
- Steve's background with CRM in aviation and healthcare
- Why CRM isn't just about checklists, but also learning how to "communicate more assertively" in the cockpit or operating room...
- How Lean and CRM / TeamSTEPPS fit together conceptually
- How standardization and iterative improvement fit together
There's so much we could talk about, so we barely scratched the surface on this topic. If you have questions, we can do another podcast. Please post them as comments on this post.
For a link to this episode, refer people to www.leanblog.org/195 -- go there for some links and material that Mark wrote to share with the listeners (and he'll have a guest post soon that expands on the thoughts in the podcast).
Please leave a comment and join the discussion about the podcast by visiting the blog page for this episode.
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.
You can also listen to streaming episodes of the podcast via Stitcher: http://landing.stitcher.com/?vurl=leanblog
If you have feedback on the podcast, or any questions for me or my guests, you can email me at leanpodcast@gmail.com or you can call and leave a voicemail by calling the "Lean Line" at (817) 776-LEAN (817-776-5326) or contact me via Skype id "mgraban". Please give your location and your first name. Any comments (email or voicemail) might be used in follow ups to the podcast.
Steve is a retired Navy pilot and currently flies for a major commercial airline. He's also been involved, through LifeWings, in the movement to bring aviation safety practices (and culture) to healthcare via "Crew Resource Management" or "TeamSTEPPS." He's also been on the forefront of combining Lean and TeamSTEPPS, something we both agree is a great idea.
In honor of National Patient Safety Awareness Week, we talk about topics including:
- Steve's background with CRM in aviation and healthcare
- Why CRM isn't just about checklists, but also learning how to "communicate more assertively" in the cockpit or operating room...
- How Lean and CRM / TeamSTEPPS fit together conceptually
- How standardization and iterative improvement fit together
There's so much we could talk about, so we barely scratched the surface on this topic. If you have questions, we can do another podcast. Please post them as comments on this post.
For a link to this episode, refer people to www.leanblog.org/195 -- go there for some links and material that Mark wrote to share with the listeners (and he'll have a guest post soon that expands on the thoughts in the podcast).
Please leave a comment and join the discussion about the podcast by visiting the blog page for this episode.
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.
You can also listen to streaming episodes of the podcast via Stitcher: http://landing.stitcher.com/?vurl=leanblog
If you have feedback on the podcast, or any questions for me or my guests, you can email me at leanpodcast@gmail.com or you can call and leave a voicemail by calling the "Lean Line" at (817) 776-LEAN (817-776-5326) or contact me via Skype id "mgraban". Please give your location and your first name. Any comments (email or voicemail) might be used in follow ups to the podcast.
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Society for Health Systems 2014 Talk Mark Graban
Two Data Points Are Not a Trend: Using SPC to Manage Better
Monday, February 17, 2014
194 - Paul Piechota Lean at the University of Dayton
My guest for episode #194 is Paul Piechota, Director for the Center for Competitive Change at the University of Dayton School of Engineering. Piechota has authored over 30 publications with such titles as Transforming the Enterprise, Getting to the Future First!, and Establishing a Method for Process and Culture Change in the Military. His most recent publication is the book titled, Keeping Your Business in the U.S.A.: Profit Globally While Operating Locally.
In this episode, we'll talk about topics including how the university is using Lean and Six Sigma to improve their own operations, how they are getting students involved, and their attempts to engage professors to improve their work in the classroom. This all follows up a blog post I wrote about their press release on this topic.
For a link to this episode, refer people to www.leanblog.org/194 -- go there for some links and material that Mark wrote to share with the listeners (and he'll have a guest post soon that expands on the thoughts in the podcast).
Please leave a comment and join the discussion about the podcast by visiting the blog page for this episode.
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.
You can also listen to streaming episodes of the podcast via Stitcher: http://landing.stitcher.com/?vurl=leanblog
If you have feedback on the podcast, or any questions for me or my guests, you can email me at leanpodcast@gmail.com or you can call and leave a voicemail by calling the "Lean Line" at (817) 776-LEAN (817-776-5326) or contact me via Skype id "mgraban". Please give your location and your first name. Any comments (email or voicemail) might be used in follow ups to the podcast.
In this episode, we'll talk about topics including how the university is using Lean and Six Sigma to improve their own operations, how they are getting students involved, and their attempts to engage professors to improve their work in the classroom. This all follows up a blog post I wrote about their press release on this topic.
For a link to this episode, refer people to www.leanblog.org/194 -- go there for some links and material that Mark wrote to share with the listeners (and he'll have a guest post soon that expands on the thoughts in the podcast).
Please leave a comment and join the discussion about the podcast by visiting the blog page for this episode.
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.
You can also listen to streaming episodes of the podcast via Stitcher: http://landing.stitcher.com/?vurl=leanblog
If you have feedback on the podcast, or any questions for me or my guests, you can email me at leanpodcast@gmail.com or you can call and leave a voicemail by calling the "Lean Line" at (817) 776-LEAN (817-776-5326) or contact me via Skype id "mgraban". Please give your location and your first name. Any comments (email or voicemail) might be used in follow ups to the podcast.
Sunday, February 02, 2014
193 - Mark Jaben, MD: Lean, Change, & Brains
My guest for episode #193 is Mark Jaben, MD, talking about our brains, Lean, and change. Mark has been a guest blogger for me before and it's great to talk to him today about his research and experiences. In our conversation, Mark talks about "the troublesome features of our brain's operating system" (such as our "hidden brain"), how the A3 problem solving process fits with the way our brains work, and how to deal with "resistance" to change. Mark has also helped talk to some healthcare organizations about KaiNexus and we both presented at a conference last year.
For a link to this episode, refer people to www.leanblog.org/193 -- go there for some links and material that Mark wrote to share with the listeners (and he'll have a guest post soon that expands on the thoughts in the podcast).
Please leave a comment and join the discussion about the podcast by visiting the blog page for this episode.
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.
You can also listen to streaming episodes of the podcast via Stitcher: http://landing.stitcher.com/?vurl=leanblog
If you have feedback on the podcast, or any questions for me or my guests, you can email me at leanpodcast@gmail.com or you can call and leave a voicemail by calling the "Lean Line" at (817) 776-LEAN (817-776-5326) or contact me via Skype id "mgraban". Please give your location and your first name. Any comments (email or voicemail) might be used in follow ups to the podcast.
For a link to this episode, refer people to www.leanblog.org/193 -- go there for some links and material that Mark wrote to share with the listeners (and he'll have a guest post soon that expands on the thoughts in the podcast).
Please leave a comment and join the discussion about the podcast by visiting the blog page for this episode.
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.
You can also listen to streaming episodes of the podcast via Stitcher: http://landing.stitcher.com/?vurl=leanblog
If you have feedback on the podcast, or any questions for me or my guests, you can email me at leanpodcast@gmail.com or you can call and leave a voicemail by calling the "Lean Line" at (817) 776-LEAN (817-776-5326) or contact me via Skype id "mgraban". Please give your location and your first name. Any comments (email or voicemail) might be used in follow ups to the podcast.
Sunday, January 26, 2014
192 - John Torinus, Solving Healthcare
Joining me for podcast #192 is John Torinus, author of the excellent book, The Company That Solved Health Care: How Serigraph Dramatically Reduced Skyrocketing Costs While Providing Better Care, and How Every Company Can Do the Same. John is the CEO of Wisconsin-based Serigraph Inc., a graphics parts manufacturer with ownership in ten plants in the U.S., Mexico, China and India with over $130M in annual sales. John has served as business editor and columnist at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
John is collaborating with the ThedaCare Center for Healthcare Value for a new workshop: "Solving the Employer Healthcare Crisis," to be held in Phoenix on January 28 (and hopefully again in the future).
In this episode, we talk abouthow Serigraph has kept healthcare costs under control while improving the health of their employees. How do concepts of consumer choice, data transparency, and focusing on preventive care help to "engaged all employees in the healthcare challenge"? For example, 90% of their diabetic employees have their disease "under control" as compared to about 30% nationally. What is this "grass roots revolution" in healthcare?
For a link to this episode, refer people to www.leanblog.org/192.
Please leave a comment and join the discussion about the podcast episode.
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.
You can also listen to streaming episodes of the podcast via Stitcher: http://landing.stitcher.com/?vurl=leanblog
If you have feedback on the podcast, or any questions for me or my guests, you can email me at leanpodcast@gmail.com or you can call and leave a voicemail by calling the "Lean Line" at (817) 776-LEAN (817-776-5326) or contact me via Skype id "mgraban". Please give your location and your first name. Any comments (email or voicemail) might be used in follow ups to the podcast.
John is collaborating with the ThedaCare Center for Healthcare Value for a new workshop: "Solving the Employer Healthcare Crisis," to be held in Phoenix on January 28 (and hopefully again in the future).
In this episode, we talk abouthow Serigraph has kept healthcare costs under control while improving the health of their employees. How do concepts of consumer choice, data transparency, and focusing on preventive care help to "engaged all employees in the healthcare challenge"? For example, 90% of their diabetic employees have their disease "under control" as compared to about 30% nationally. What is this "grass roots revolution" in healthcare?
For a link to this episode, refer people to www.leanblog.org/192.
Please leave a comment and join the discussion about the podcast episode.
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.
You can also listen to streaming episodes of the podcast via Stitcher: http://landing.stitcher.com/?vurl=leanblog
If you have feedback on the podcast, or any questions for me or my guests, you can email me at leanpodcast@gmail.com or you can call and leave a voicemail by calling the "Lean Line" at (817) 776-LEAN (817-776-5326) or contact me via Skype id "mgraban". Please give your location and your first name. Any comments (email or voicemail) might be used in follow ups to the podcast.
Saturday, January 11, 2014
191 - Mike Orzen, Lean IT
Joining me for podcast #191 is my friend and fellow LEI faculty member Mike Orzen (@MikeOrzen), co-author of the Shingo Award-winning book Lean IT: Enabling and Sustaining Your Lean Transformation. I recently crossed paths with Mike in Columbus, Ohio because we're both mentoring students in the Ohio State University MBOE program. We have a lot in common!
Mike is also collaborating with the ThedaCare Center for Healthcare Value for a new workshop: "Leveraging Information, People & Systems in Healthcare," to be held in Phoenix January 28 and 29.
In this episode, we talk about topics including an overview of "Lean IT," how Lean is different compared to manufacturing and other service settings, how healthcare organizations can benefit from Lean IT, and the potential for kaizen and continuous improvement in IT.
For a link to this episode, refer people to www.leanblog.org/191.
Please leave a comment and join the discussion about the podcast episode.
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.
You can also listen to streaming episodes of the podcast via Stitcher: http://landing.stitcher.com/?vurl=leanblog
If you have feedback on the podcast, or any questions for me or my guests, you can email me at leanpodcast@gmail.com or you can call and leave a voicemail by calling the "Lean Line" at (817) 776-LEAN (817-776-5326) or contact me via Skype id "mgraban". Please give your location and your first name. Any comments (email or voicemail) might be used in follow ups to the podcast.
Mike is also collaborating with the ThedaCare Center for Healthcare Value for a new workshop: "Leveraging Information, People & Systems in Healthcare," to be held in Phoenix January 28 and 29.
In this episode, we talk about topics including an overview of "Lean IT," how Lean is different compared to manufacturing and other service settings, how healthcare organizations can benefit from Lean IT, and the potential for kaizen and continuous improvement in IT.
For a link to this episode, refer people to www.leanblog.org/191.
Please leave a comment and join the discussion about the podcast episode.
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.
You can also listen to streaming episodes of the podcast via Stitcher: http://landing.stitcher.com/?vurl=leanblog
If you have feedback on the podcast, or any questions for me or my guests, you can email me at leanpodcast@gmail.com or you can call and leave a voicemail by calling the "Lean Line" at (817) 776-LEAN (817-776-5326) or contact me via Skype id "mgraban". Please give your location and your first name. Any comments (email or voicemail) might be used in follow ups to the podcast.
