Strategic Partner

Founded in 1990, the Case Management Society of America (CMSA) has grown to be the leading non-profit association dedicated to the support and development of the profession of case management. It is based in Little Rock, AR, and serves more than 11,000 members, 20,000 subscribers, and 70+ chapters through educational forums, networking opportunities, legislative advocacy and establishing standards to advance the profession.

Its leadership programs, educational forums, and breadth of tools and resources enable case management professionals to ensure more positive outcomes for individual patients' healthcare needs. Case management professionals help patients get healthier, faster; and help curtail the exorbitant costs that too often afflict the nation's health care system. To further the professional knowledge and career opportunities of its members, CMSA also offers a number of education programs. www.cmsa.org

Strategic Partner

The Project Management Institute (PMI) Healthcare Community of Practice (CoP), Formerly Specific Interest Group (SIG), is at the forefront of project management technologies and practices for the healthcare industry. The Healthcare CoP promotes sharing of project management tools, techniques and experiences through our publications and Community website as well as through educational and networking opportunities for our members and others in the healthcare industry.

Book Giveaway Partner

by: Joan Wellman, Howard Jeffries, Pat Hagan

" … Pat Hagan and his colleagues tell a compelling story of change at an enormously prestigious institution …. It is a story of humility and the courage to go outside of healthcare to learn. … while 10 years ago, lean in healthcare was interesting, today it is essential."
-J. Michael Rona, Rona Consulting Group
"Joan Wellman and co-authors Pat Hagan and Howard Jeffries are true pioneers in the lean healthcare world. Their book… puts lean into the right context for healthcare leaders and change agents. …Engaging and well-written, I recommend it highly."
-Mark Graban, author of Lean Hospitals: Improving Quality, Patient Safety, and Employee Satisfaction

Every healthcare organization can learn from Seattle Children's continuous improvement process, but this book is not an operator's manual. Instead, it is a challenge to everyone concerned with healthcare to reexamine deeply held assumptions. While it is commonly believed that improved quality, access, and safety, and an improved bottom line are mutually exclusive, Seattle Children's demonstrates that it quite possible to realize all these improvements concurrently. Written by remarkable change agents from the front lines at Seattle Children's and other forward-thinking organizations, this book discusses ways to transform key personnel into change agents and engage all staff in a patient-focused culture dedicated to eliminating waste and improving all aspects of quality and care.

Change agents from Seattle Children's Hospital, Jefferson Healthcare, and The Everett Clinic in Washington; Memorial Care in California; and Minnesota Children's Hospital and Clinics all make contributions to this book. Each one tells of challenges overcome through continuous improvement. Providing both example and inspiration, these organizations stand as proof that effective mindful change is feasible. Their stories of hard-gained progress is for healthcare professionals who have the willingness to look critically at their work and the tenacity to find better, less wasteful ways to deliver safe, high-quality care.

Seattle Children's Hospital will change your mind about what's possible.

Book Giveaway Partner

by: Mark Graban

"Mark Graban's book has documented what is now happening in hospitals all across America as we learn to apply the Toyota Production System methodology to healthcare. This book lays out the nuts and bolts of the lean methodology and also describes the more difficult challenges, which have to do with managing change. Graban's book is full of wins --- these are the same type of wins that are happening at ThedaCare every day. I wish I could have read this book six years ago, as it might have prevented some of the mistakes we made in our lean transformation journey."
- John S. Toussaint, MD, President/CEO ThedaCare Center for Healthcare Value

"There is an enormous shortfall between the healthcare we receive and what we actually get. Mark Graban explains how those in the system can make care delivery better for everyone -patients, providers, and payers."
- Steven Spear, Senior Lecturer, MIT, Senior Fellow, IHI

"The concepts outlined in this book are the most powerful tools that I have ever encountered to foster innovation, ownership, and accountability at the frontline staff level. This is a must-read for any leader in today's increasingly complex healthcare industry."
- Brett Lee, PhD, FACHE, Vice President, Children's Medical Center Dallas

Winner of a 2009 Shingo Research and Professional Publication Prize

Drawing on his years of working with hospitals, Mark Graban explains why and how Lean can be used to improve safety, quality, and efficiency in a healthcare setting. After highlighting the benefits of Lean methods for patients, employees, physicians, and the hospital itself, he explains how Lean manufacturing staples such as Value Stream Mapping and process observation can help hospital personnel identify and eliminate waste in their own processes - effectively preventing delays for patients, reducing wasted motion for caregivers, and improving the quality of care.

Additionally, Graban describes how Standardized Work and error-proofing can prevent common hospital errors and details root cause problem-solving and daily improvement processes that can engage all personnel in systemic improvement. A unique guide for healthcare professionals, Lean Hospitals clearly elaborates the steps they can take to begin the proactive process of Lean implementation.

Book Giveaway Partner

Productivity Press is a premier source of cutting-edge lean tools and authoritative resources for healthcare professionals and administrators. Founded on the Toyota Production System and grounded in the newest improvement strategies, our materials support organizations and their stakeholders in their drive to improve the overall quality and performance. www.productivitypress.com

Published in partnership with HIMSS, Healthcare IT News reports on events that affect those working in the healthcare information technology industry. Our more than 50,000 readers include IT professionals employed in physician practices, hospitals, integrated delivery networks and payer organizations, as well as members of the C-suite in those entities. Ranked #1 by hospital CIOs two years in a row (PERQ/HCI study 2005, 2006), Healthcare IT News offers timely, relevant news on new technologies; on IT strategies and tactics; on statutory and regulatory issues decided in Washington, D.C. (as well as state policies); and on news about their colleagues and competitors. www.healthcareitnews.com

The Lean Blog is a site founded in 2005 to discuss Lean "in factories, in hospitals, and in the world around us." Founder Mark Graban and a team of guest bloggers comment daily on Lean stories in the news and best practices for implementing Lean in any organization. Graban is the author of the Shingo Prize winning book "Lean Hospitals: Improving Quality, Patient Safety, and Employee Satisfaction," so content related to that book is featured on the site as well. The Lean Blog is a community of Lean thinkers with active discussion and sharing of ideas. www.leanblog.org

PharmaVOICE is the executive forum that allows business leaders to engage in a candid dialogue on the myriad challenges and trends impacting the life-sciences industry. PharmaVOICE reaches more than 17,000 U.S.-based executives who influence business strategies and affect change. Published monthly, PharmaVOICE provides readers with insightful and thought-provoking commentary in a multiple-perspective format through its forums, topics, and articles that cover a range of issues from molecule through market. To Raise Your VOICE, contact feedback@pharmavoice.com.

Media Partner

Strategic Insights on the Future of the Health Insurance Industry www.corporateresearchgroup.com/MarketTrends

Strategic Partner

The WHCC Affordable Health Innovations Site seeks and promotes health care innovations that can reduce the cost of quality care. Visit the site to learn how the share your innovation.