Lean Thinking and the Virginia Mason Production System

Barry Aaronson, MD, CMIO, Niloofar Alikashani, PharmD, and Therese Franco, MD, Virginia Mason Medical Center. Two important quality goals for hospitalized patients are optimized Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis and optimized glycemic control for diabetic patients. Dr. Aaronson describes efforts underway at Virginia Mason Medical Center (VMMC) Hospital to use lean methodology as incorporated into the Virginia Mason Production System (VMPS) to mistake-proof VTE prophylaxis, improve glycemic control in diabetics, and thereby improve outcomes for our patients.