Stepping Up Healthcare

Learn why Lean leaders must go to the gemba—the real place—rather than relying only on reports, and how to apply three core methods: silent observation (shadowing without interrupting), the Ono Circle (stationary observation), and interviewing staff. The episode we'll talk about closed vs. open-ended questions to start real Lean thinking and help develop problem solving. S1E11

In this episode of Stepping Up Healthcare, we discuss the Lean waste of extra processing—doing more than needed to meet requirements. The episode contrasts adding more checks with poka yoke (error-proofing), emphasizing redesigning systems so the correct action is the easiest action rather than relying on double/triple checks. We will also talk about lean vs. safety/compliance. S1E10

This episode explains motion waste in healthcare as unnecessary movement—especially searching and extra walking—and clarifies how it differs from transportation waste (moving yourself vs. moving items). It shows how motion quietly adds up into miles walked per shift, contributing to fatigue, sore feet, and breaks in focus that can increase error risk, while also compounding with other wastes like defects. The episode acknowledges aging hospital layouts and emphasizes designing systems that reduce trips and standardize supply locations. S1E9

This episode explains inventory waste in healthcare. We will highlight why inventory waste matters: it takes up space, requires extra work, and disguises other problems. We discuss a 5S project on a code cart and supply room of a dental clinic. S1E8

This episode explains transportation waste in healthcare as unnecessary movement of items, information, or people that doesn’t add patient value. We highlight why reducing transportation waste matters—lost minutes, increased distance and fatigue, and broken attention that leads to context switching and potential mistakes. This episode introduces using a simple spaghetti diagram during a “go and see” to trace staff movement and reveal improvement opportunities. S1E7

This episode of Stepping Up Healthcare, we talk about non-utilized talent waste (N in DOWNTIME)—when staff skills, creativity, and insights aren’t actively invited, heard, acted on, or recognized—often showing up subtly as quietness and submission rather than obvious problems. Make sure to follow the Stepping Up Healthcare podcast! S1E6

In this episode of Stepping Up Healthcare, we discuss the pervasive issue of waiting waste in healthcare, its impact on workflow, morale, and costs. We also will dive into the difference between batch work and single piece flow! S1E5

In this episode of Stepping Up Healthcare, we dive into the concept of overproduction in healthcare, explaining how it creates hidden work, consumes valuable time and attention, and covers for defects. Takt discusses the impact of the push versus pull mentality on healthcare efficiency. S1E4

Takt discusses the first waste of DOWNTIME, the pervasive issue of Defects in healthcare processes. He explores the types of defects, their impact on workflow, cost, trust, and staff morale, and provides real-world examples. S1E3

Takt discusses the importance of distinguishing between value-added work, non-value-added work, and waste in healthcare. Learn how to identify these categories to streamline processes and improve patient care. Set the foundation of understanding and eliminating waste in your daily workflow. S1E2

In this episode of Stepping Up Healthcare, Takt emphasizes the importance of recognizing problems in healthcare processes before attempting to fix them. He discusses how minor gaps in processes often lead to workarounds that, over time, become standard practice. Takt shares tips on spotting red flags, such as inconsistencies and reliance on sheer willpower of staff, and introduces the principle of 'go and see' to observe real workflow conditions. Listeners are given homework to practice identifying unclear or complicated tasks as a starting point for improvement. S1E1

Welcome to the show! We will talk about what this show is all about!Whether you are a nurse or doctor, in hospital administration or sterile processing, we will be talking about your processes. Doesn't matter if you are clinical or nonclinical, it would be great to have here!