IT Solutions
Depend on us to get your organisation to the next level.
Sectors
BCN have a heritage of delivering outcomes through our cloud-first services and currently support over 1200 customers across specialist sectors.
About Us
Your tech partner
Posted 18th December 2024
This episode delves into the application of control charts, the importance of measurement, and the crucial role of leadership in driving improvement.
Dr. John Boulton is a renowned physician who has transitioned into quality improvement and patient safety. Having worked extensively in Wales and the Middle East, John’s last role before moving into consultancy was as the National Director of Quality Improvement and Patient Safety. His expertise and dedication to healthcare improvement make him a valuable voice in our discussion.
Mark Graban, from the United States, started his career in industrial engineering and later transitioned to healthcare improvement. His extensive work spans various departments in hospitals and health systems, including a notable stint at the NHS Northampton General Hospital. Mark is also an accomplished author, having written “Measures of Success”, “Lean Hospitals”, and “Healthcare Kaizen”. His passion for improving healthcare through lean methodologies and process behavior charts is evident in his work.
Mark’s transition from manufacturing to healthcare was driven by a chance encounter with lean improvement work at a hospital in Scottsdale, Arizona. This sparked his interest in applying industrial engineering principles to healthcare, leading to his significant contributions to the field over the last two decades.
Both John and Mark emphasized the critical role of measurement in healthcare improvement. Despite the adoption of SPC charts at board levels within the NHS, there remains a challenge in effectively utilizing these tools to drive meaningful insights and actions. Mark shared compelling examples of how proper use of process behavior charts can reveal the true state of patient safety and quality, urging leaders to adopt a more scientific approach to improvement.
The discussion highlighted the cultural differences and resistance to change within healthcare organizations. Mark stressed the importance of collaboration between healthcare professionals and external experts to understand and address systemic problems. By fostering a culture of openness and continuous improvement, healthcare organizations can better serve their communities.
Mark introduced the concept of process behavior charts, a term popularized by Dr. Donald Wheeler. He advocated for the use of XMR charts, a robust methodology that simplifies the process of interpreting data and identifying meaningful trends. This approach contrasts with more complex and less intuitive statistical control charts traditionally used in healthcare.
The conversation with Dr. John Boulton and Mark Graban provided valuable insights into the application of SPC in healthcare. Their experiences and expertise underscore the importance of measurement, leadership, and a collaborative approach to driving improvement. We encourage our listeners to delve deeper into these topics and consider how they can apply these principles within their own organizations.
For more information, check out Mark Graban’s books: “Measures of Success”, “Lean Hospitals”, and “Healthcare Kaizen”. You can also listen to his podcasts and explore his work on healthcare improvement.
The BCN Podcast is dedicated to bringing you the latest insights and discussions on healthcare improvement. Stay connected with us for more expert interviews and thought-provoking conversations.
