The Lean 5S approach included the following steps, according to the study:
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1. Sort. Determine instrument usage and waste.
2. Simplify. Remove unnecessary instruments.
3. Sweep. Confirm availability of needed instruments.
4. Standardize. Ensure identical trays for a particular procedure.
5. Self-discipline. Monitor success.
The researchers reduced the number of instruments needed for minimally invasive spine surgery by 70 percent, and the setup time by 37 percent. They also estimated potential institutional annual cost savings of $2.8 million by reducing waste in complex surgical procedures.
More Articles on Surgical Efficiency:
13 Ideas for Quicker GI & Ophthalmology-Driven Operating Room Turnover Times
6 Ways Administrators Can Ensure Properly Reprocessed Endoscopes — Every Time
5 Steps to Use Lean to Improve OR Turnover
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