In Lesson 2, we will discuss the importance of leadership’s involvement, knowledge, and support of the culture of continuous improvement of the Lean Hospital.

A Lean OR, and a Lean Hospital, is one that has embraced a culture of continuous improvement. Continuous improvement for the Lean OR is not a fad or the Flavor of the Month trumpeted by some guru in a three-piece suit. It is a habit and a way of life, and the only way to succeed in that culture is by having all staff members participate. That is only possible with a leadership team that believes in this new way of life and is willing to support it and nurture it with pigheaded determination. That determination starts with knowledge and that knowledge will be gained with training as well as hands-on experience.

If you are a staff OR nurse listening to this lesson, we hope you don’t stop taking this lesson thinking that there is nothing you can do about Leadership’s support. That is not accurate. There is a lot you can do to help the leaders in your organization see that by removing wasteful activities you, the OR Nurse (or any Nurse, Tech, EVS staff) will have more time to devote to patient care and that can only lead to improved performance on all fronts.