Lean principles can help improve clinical operations in behavioral healthcare, a study published in The Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety shows.
Consulting and management firm ConnectionsAZ implemented lean methods at the Crisis Response Center, a behavioral health facility in Tucson, Ariz., shortly after taking over operations for the facility. In phase one of the implementation, they redesigned patient flow space utilization and clinical protocols. Phase two involved improving the provider staffing model. ConnectionsAZ also implemented organizational changes, such as daily huddles. Researchers studied the effects of the implementation at the center.
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The study shows decreases in the following after phase one:
• The time between when a patient checked-in and was discharged from the urgent care clinic
• Calls to security for behavioral emergencies
• Staff injuries
After phase two, the study shows decreases in:
• Median door-to-doctor time in the 23-hour observation unit
• Hours on diversion