PARTICIPANT CONFERENCE CALL INFORMAL PROCESS IMPROVEMENT

Objectives: 1. Identify situations or issues that prevent effective, efficient and cost-conscious management 2. Identify possible solutions to processes that don’t work 3. Develop and implement a process improvement plan that doesn’t take forever and actually works

INFORMAL PROCESS IMPROVEMENT When do you need to consider doing a process improvement workout? Process takes too much time Process is too expensive Process is too risky (injuries, counterproductive) Process is a waste of resources

INFORMAL PROCESS IMPROVEMENT Possible solutions to processes that don’t work for you: 1. Stop doing the process Is there someone else that can take the process on more effectively or efficiently? Is the process of any value to the organization? (We’ve always done it but I don’t know why) Is the process so complicated that it has a negative impact?

INFORMAL PROCESS IMPROVEMENT Possible solutions to processes that don’t work for you: (cont.) 2. Provide additional staff training (enhance staff competency) Is the issue one of staff competency vs. process fatigue? Can staff be adequately trained to do the process effectively, efficiently and cost-consciously? 3. Seek extra resources (money, time, staffing) Do you have enough staffing? Do you have the financial resources? Do you have the time necessary to make the process work for you?

INFORMAL PROCESS IMPROVEMENT Possible solutions to processes that don’t work for you: (cont.) 4. Do a small test of change Evaluate the process based on the goal you want to achieve (Team discussion, team effort) Aim for the process you want to see Plan the change you want to make (Expect to make numerous cycles of change) Do (Implement) the change to see what effect it had on the process Study the result of your implemented change Act on the results of your implemented change

INFORMAL PROCESS IMPROVEMENT PDSA Method for Testing Change SEE ATTACHED PDSA WORKSHEET FOR TESTING CHANGE

INFORMAL PROCESS IMPROVEMENT AIM: Do not aim for perfection because you won’t get it. Every goal set will require multiple cycles of change PLAN: One change at a time. What tasks will you need to do in order to test this change? DO: Take notes of the outcomes of the change you implemented STUDY: Describe the results of your change and discuss the outcome. ACT: Accept, modify or discard the change

INFORMAL PROCESS IMPROVEMENT How do I pull this off without causing a lot of commotion? Involve staff in the planning discussions during a staff meeting and not as an extra meeting Pick the low hanging fruit first. If it’s easy to do, do it first. Don’t expect world shattering results the first time But don’t stop just because the first test didn’t go well. Let your staff own and direct some of the change. They’re probably just as frustrated as you are.

INFORMAL PROCESS IMPROVEMENT QUESTIONS?

INFORMAL PROCESS IMPROVEMENT Randy Benson Executive Director WHS Healthcare Quality Service