The information contained in this presentation, the source code and underlying program are protected by copyright owned by PlusDelta Technologies, LLC.
PlusDelta Technologies, LLC
Pharmacy Process Improvement Webinar:Common Sources of Waste in
Healthcare Organizations
The information contained in this presentation, the source code and underlying program are protected by copyright owned by PlusDelta Technologies, LLC.
Waste and Value Added
• Waste – defined as any activity that does not add value to the service or product provided– Adds to the cost of operations– Impairs ability to meet core performance metrics– Decreases ‘customer’ satisfaction
Successful adaption of continuous improvement principles
can reduce waste and non-value added activities
The information contained in this presentation, the source code and underlying program are protected by copyright owned by PlusDelta Technologies, LLC.
Sources of Waste
OverproductionProducing too much or
producing too soonTransportation
Any nonessential transport
InventoryMaintaining more
inventory than minimum to get the job done
WaitingWaiting for the next step in the process without added
valueProcessing
Over-processing, unnecessary steps
ReworkCorrecting any errors or doing completion steps
not done before
MotionAny motion that
does not add value
Intellect Failure to fully utilize the time and talents
of people
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8 Sources of WasteWaiting
• Waiting – Any idle time in the process that would be considered non-value time.– Examples
• Nursing waiting for medications• Pharmacist waiting for medications to be prepared
before checking product• Patients waiting for discharge paperwork to be
completed. Waiting may constitute up to of the cycle time of a process 90%
The information contained in this presentation, the source code and underlying program are protected by copyright owned by PlusDelta Technologies, LLC.
8 Sources of WasteOverproduction
• Overproduction – Preparing products ahead of time or preparing more than is required
• Examples:– Requesting additional labs before receiving initial
laboratory results– Infrequent large batches, farther in advance of use
(utilizing more time and with increased risk of wasted doses)
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8 Sources of WasteRework
• Rework – Correcting mistakes/errors, remaking products– Examples• Medications not transferred with patient • Re-preparing any medication (IV, oral, etc)• Reordering labs
The information contained in this presentation, the source code and underlying program are protected by copyright owned by PlusDelta Technologies, LLC.
8 Sources of WasteMotion
• Motion – Any movement of people that does not add value– Examples:• Staff searching for medications or supplies• Staff looking for information• Movement between locations to fulfill orders
(example: ADC fills)
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8 Sources of WasteOver-Processing
• Over-Processing- Excessive processing or doing more than is minimally required– Examples: • Excessive paperwork to meet regulatory
compliance• Duplicate documentation• Multiple forms completed with same
information
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8 Sources of WasteInventory
• Inventory- Maintaining inventory that is more than the minimum– Examples:• Overstocked medications on units or in pharmacy• Maintaining full automated dispensing cabinets• Expired medications
Check internal and regulatory policies requiring minimum required inventory
The information contained in this presentation, the source code and underlying program are protected by copyright owned by PlusDelta Technologies, LLC.
8 Sources of WasteIntellect
• Intellect - Failing to use the talent and knowledge of the organization– Examples:• Pharmacists performing technician related tasks• Performing process improvement without
consulting front line staff members in the process
The information contained in this presentation, the source code and underlying program are protected by copyright owned by PlusDelta Technologies, LLC.
8 Sources of WasteTransportation
• Transportation – Transporting patients or materials around an organization that does not add value to the product or service– Examples:• Moving patients between rooms with no added
value• Travel to storage room to retrieve medications
repeatedly (Medications not located near point of work)
The information contained in this presentation, the source code and underlying program are protected by copyright owned by PlusDelta Technologies, LLC.
Reducing Waste in Pharmacies
• Waste can be reduced through incorporating continuous improvement principles and Lean methods– Standardize work and simplify workflow
• See Future Webinar on ‘5S’– Utilize visual management
• For quick and easy prioritization of work– Prevent errors or process failures – Identify and resolve root causes of problems– Avoid work-arounds
The information contained in this presentation, the source code and underlying program are protected by copyright owned by PlusDelta Technologies, LLC.
Reducing Waste in Pharmacies
• Ensure point-of-care access to information• Reconsider role of batching medications,
considering just-in-time preparation– To minimize likelihood of rework or wasted doses
• Simplify processes when possible• Synchronize steps within workflow– Implement downstream triggers to signal need for
next step
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Reducing Waste – Root Causes
To achieve improved results:
• Do not address the symptom • Continue to investigate all sources of waste by
asking “Why?”– See Webinar on the 5 Why’s
Determine Problem
Identify Root Cause
Change the Conditions
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Operational Pearls
• Examine physical workflow to identify opportunities to limit motion and transportation related waste
• Limit manual documentation when possible
• Process map various pharmacy process and identify sources of waste
• Identify technology that can reduce rework, motion, over-processing, or other sources of waste
The information contained in this presentation, the source code and underlying program are protected by copyright owned by PlusDelta Technologies, LLC.
Three Immediate Steps
1. Collect Data regarding frequency of phone calls from Nursing for missing medications– Waiting, Rework, Motion, Intellect, Transportation
2. Examine Batch processing times– Waiting, Overproduction, Rework, Motion, Inventory, Transportation
3. Examine one hour of pharmacy workflow and document sources of waste– Waiting, motion, rework, inventory, transportation
The information contained in this presentation, the source code and underlying program are protected by copyright owned by PlusDelta Technologies, LLC.
Thank You
Thank you for joining us for this Pharmacy Process Improvement Webinar.
Please view our other webinars on pharmacy operational process improvement, available at
www.plusdeltatech.com