KAIZEN in hospitals

In hospitals KAIZEN means minimizing walking distances, reducing waiting time for doctors, patients and nurses, optimising occupancy of expensive and scarce beds or rooms as well as medical equipment, eliminating postponements of treatments and operations, better utilization of treatment and operation rooms etc.. KAIZEN in this context also means the establishment of standardized checklists, correct minutes, implementation of teamwork, clear rules, responsibilities and communication channels. Of course this can be applied as well in hospital services like pharmacy, laundry, cleaning, kitchen etc.