Question

What characteristics of the Toyota Production System are germane to the health care delivery system? Give examples of how the TPS can be implemented in health care.

Answer 1

The Toyota production System (TPS) or lean management System are germane to the health care System- as the characteristics of TPS like continous improvements , respect for people , low cost and high quality influence Health care organization to Improve the quality of health care.

1. ELIMINATE WASTE - TPS focus on elimination of any activity that leads to wastage or doesnot add value to organisation end product . In health care also if any unnecessary activity like patient waiting time is eliminated it will improve excellent patient care.

2. KEEPING INVENTORY LOW - TPS uses "Just -In-Time". technique which aims to reduce inventory and carrying costs.The health care organization can also use this technique by not overstocking supplies which helps hospitals to reduce supply costs and storage costs.

3. IMPROVEMENT IN TECHNOLOGY - TPS regularly embrace it's Technology to provide better facilities to it's customer. Similarly , Health care organization should also Improve Technology like using EHR which can reduce labour cost and Improve efficiency.

4. FOCUS. ON ROOT. CAUSES -. TPS focus on identifying the root cause of problem and take steps to avoid them to occur in future. Similarly , the health care organization should focus on root cause of any problem occured and take steps to Improve the health care facilities.