Society for Health Systems Newsletter

In research sponsored by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), UW researchers summarize findings and associated research from a 2009 conference in a report entitled Industrial and Systems Engineering and Health Care: Critical Areas of Research. According to the report, the objectives of the project were to (1) articulate a vision for an ideal health care delivery system, (2) determine why current efforts to apply ISyE knowledge to health care have not resulted in meaningful change, and (3) propose a research and action agenda that should be pursued to enable the field of ISyE to substantially contribute to the realization of an ideal health care delivery system. To read the entire report click here.

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The art of implementing Lean from AORN Management Connections

A recent article in AORN Management Connections by Carina Stantondescribes how three healthcare organizations are implementing Lean. Different from some "lean" healthcare organizations that conduct rapid improvement projects in a few areas, these organizations are attempting to achieve a cultural transformation in all aspects of the organization's culture. The hospitals featured in this article include Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland, Washington; The Aurora Medical Center in Aurora, Colorado; and Boston's Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. The article describes the focus, organizational challenges, and some successes in each of these organizations. SHS contributor, Chris Protzman, MS, IE, is Director of "Value improvement for Patients" at Kadlec and Ross Simon, Sr. Management Engineer at Beth Israel Deaconess, has a key leadership role in perioperative services improvement. To read the entire article click here.

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Video presentation on models, measurement techniques, and tests for analyzing adherence and performance of evidenced based medicine

In this 2010 presentation at the Dartmouth School of Engineering, SHS contributor and past president, James Benneyan, PhD., from the school of Mechanical, Industrial, and Manufacturing Engineering at Northeastern University discusses that challenges of measuring performance of evidenced-based medicine and provides solutions to address these challenges. To see the entire presentation, click here.

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Audible alarms and workplace noise in nursing units: An envioronmental factors case study:

By Rudolph P. Santacroce, P.E.

In a paper presented at a past SHS Conference, Rudolph P. Santacroce, P.E. provides a case study for reducing workplace noise on a pediatric nursing unit and maintaining appropriate noise levels. To read the entire article click here.

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SHS Membership Committee Update - member survey, member-of-the-month, and more

SHS's Membership Committee thanks you for the great response to our recent membership survey. Board and committee members are analyzing results and working on responses to be provided soon. Please be reminded to nominate any colleague who has exemplified outstanding service to the society for the Member of the Month award. Also, if you have been a member for more than 5 years and have not achieved Diplomate status you should complete the application so that you can be recognized at the annual conference.

If you are interested in joining or learning more about the membership committee, please join a face-to-face introduction meeting just prior to the SHS Annual Conference in Orlando 3:30-5:00 pm, Thursday, Feb 17, in Rock Spring 1 & 2. If you cannot make the conference but are interested in joining us, please contact incoming committee chair, Heather Vass

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