From here to there - seamless care, seamless transitions

This week's Kaizen team is evaluating the experience of a person in Emergency Department from the time they are admitted to the hospital until their first clinic appointment after being discharged.

 The 15-member team is looking at the process from a patient perspective to guide future improvement opportunities. Specifically, the team is recording the time it takes to move through various stages of care. This process is called Value Stream Mapping and is an integral part of all our improvement efforts. This afternoon, the team transcribed its nearly 100 observation recordings onto a map that depicts the most reoccurring steps. By the end of tomorrow, the team will develop a Transitional Care Charter that will guide future rapid improvement/Kaizen events. Finally, a future state map will be developed to paint a picture of what we feel the process should look like within a year.

Transitions in Care, Kaizen Report-Outs will occur on Friday, March 30 as follows:

7:45-8:15 AM Richmond Health Center
10-10:30 AM CCRMC Hospital Lobby
12:15-12:45 PM Pittsburg Health Center

Please join me and support the work of your colleagues and our patient and family partners as they draw on science and the energy and creativity of each other to continuously improve our health system.

I look forward to seeing you there.
Anna