Canadian premier urges Lean healthcare adoption

Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall wants to make Canada's healthcare industry more efficient, both in terms of saving costs and providing better service to residents. Speaking with CBC News, Wall recently noted that he was urging many healthcare practitioners to adopt Lean practices to achieve this goal.

It's all about innovation, he explained. While many Canadian healthcare organizations are using cutting-edge technology or mixing use of private and public providers, few look to radically change how they operate and this is where they can make a big difference. Wall is urging practitioners in his province to adopt Lean healthcare based off the model developed by Toyota.

“It can have big results or incremental results, but that's part of innovation too,” he explained.

By simply changing the way Saskatchewan's blood supply is managed, Wall has managed to save the province $10 million.

Healthcare organizations are complex, and as with any complex business, there are likely wasteful processes as a result. Kaizen can help healthcare organizations cut back on this waste significantly.