Applying Lean Six Sigma in the Healthcare Setting, Second Edition: Tools for Improving Patient Flow, Quality, Safety, and Operations

The essential, practical guide to applying Lean Six Sigma in the healthcare setting-now fully updated and expanded to meet today's clinical, operational, and financial challenges. This Second Edition of the original award-winning book introduces powerful new content, including a new framework for evaluating the quality of care: the 8 Rights of Quality Care, a novel application of 5S to patient placement and flow, updated insights into how AI and robotics are reshaping healthcare operations, and enhanced tools for improving performance across hospitals, clinics, medical groups, imaging centers, pharmacies, and more. Designed for healthcare executives, managers, physicians, nurses, and improvement professionals, this book translates Lean Six Sigma into clear, practical, real-world strategies to improve access, quality, safety, service, and affordability. You'll learn how to identify, reduce, and prevent the activities, delays, variations, and costs that do not add value for patients-what Lean calls muda (waste)-and how to build systems that deliver reliable, patient-centered care. At the core of the book is the EXAMINE-DIAGNOSE-TREAT-PREVENT (EDTP) model, a healthcare-oriented framework that shows exactly when and how to apply each improvement tool for maximum impact. Inside this edition you'll find: - A clear overview of Lean Six Sigma and the 8 wastes that undermine healthcare performance- Comparisons of major improvement models used in healthcare-and when each works best- Nine practical methods to EXAMINE or identify waste, including gemba walks, value stream mapping, and dynamic modeling- Diagnostic tools such as 5 Whys, fishbone diagrams, and workflow analysis-illustrated with real clinical examples- Forty proven strategies to TREAT or eliminate waste, including poka-yoke, kanban, load leveling, 5S, and more- Prevention tools such as FMEA, simulation, and error-proofing to sustain gains- Leadership strategies for guiding teams, overcoming resistance, and building a culture of continuous improvement Packed with case studies, examples, templates, and actionable guidance, this book gives you the knowledge and confidence to apply Lean Six Sigma in any healthcare setting - whether you oversee a department, manage a service line, or lead system-wide transformation. If you want a practical, healthcare-specific roadmap for improving performance, this book is your field guide.