Today, another group of five Children's leaders is heading out to Japan with a new mission: to learn about "lean" methods for pulling resources through our various processes (supplies, equipment, etc). It's all about making sure our staff have exactly what they need when they need it, at the right place, in the right quantity, and at the right cost.
Over the next nine days, they will visit the Toyota Motor Corporation and a tire company called Yokohama to learn how they use visual cues called "kanbans" to monitor supply levels and know when restocking is needed. Many areas of Children's have already started to use simple kanbans, but these Japanese companies use many different types of kanbans in ways we have never dreamed of.
The team will observe what goes on behind the scenes, engaging in hands-on activities and working with "senseis" - Japanese experts who will help them understand lean thinking and coach them on lean methods.
The team includes:
- Greg Beach, Clinical Equipment and Supply Manager
- Victoria Cleator, Director, Research Facilities
- Charles Hodge, Vice President and Chief Procurement Officer
- Kelly Malone, Director, Surgery Service Line
- Devin Prenevost, CPI Data Consultant
Check out this blog in the next week for updates from the group.
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