Stepping Up Healthcare

BE FAST: Signs of Stroke - Bonus Episode

Bonus episode from Stepping Up Healthcare! Learn about the BE FAST acronym—Balance, Eyes, Face, Arms, Speech, Time—to quickly spot common stroke warning signs. Strokes are time-sensitive, so if you notice even one sudden or unusual sign, call 911 or seek emergency care immediately! S1EBonus

Go & See: A Process in its Natural Habitat - Observations and Interviews

Learn why Lean leaders must go to the gemba—the real place—rather than relying only on reports, and how to apply three core methods: silent observation (shadowing without interrupting), the Ono Circle (stationary observation), and interviewing staff. The episode we'll talk about closed vs. open-ended questions to start real Lean thinking and help develop problem solving. S1E11

More Steps Than Sense: Why We Make Simple Tasks Complicated - Extra Processing

In this episode of Stepping Up Healthcare, we discuss the Lean waste of extra processing—doing more than needed to meet requirements. The episode contrasts adding more checks with poka yoke (error-proofing), emphasizing redesigning systems so the correct action is the easiest action rather than relying on double/triple checks. We will also talk about lean vs. safety/compliance. S1E10

Getting Your Steps In (for all the Wrong Reasons) Waste in Motion - Motion

This episode explains motion waste in healthcare as unnecessary movement—especially searching and extra walking—and clarifies how it differs from transportation waste (moving yourself vs. moving items). It shows how motion quietly adds up into miles walked per shift, contributing to fatigue, sore feet, and breaks in focus that can increase error risk, while also compounding with other wastes like defects. The episode acknowledges aging hospital layouts and emphasizes designing systems that reduce trips and standardize supply locations. S1E9

Hoarders: Hospital Unit Edition - Inventory

This episode explains inventory waste in healthcare. We will highlight why inventory waste matters: it takes up space, requires extra work, and disguises other problems. We discuss a 5S project on a code cart and supply room of a dental clinic. S1E8