Utilizing Performance Improvement (LEAN/SixSigma) and Human Centered Design

The healthcare industry is facing challenges such as dropping reimbursements, the rise of value-based care, and evolving patient expectations, leading healthcare leaders to implement structured problem-solving techniques. Two popular frameworks for addressing complex problems in the healthcare industry are Performance Improvement and Human Centered Design. While these frameworks come from different backgrounds, they share many core tenets and can be used synergistically to provide the greatest positive impact and ROI to hospital systems and patients. Both frameworks focus on value for the customer, but they do it in different ways, with LEAN/LSS focusing on reducing system waste to improve efficiencies, and HCD providing value by understanding customer emotional experience, needs, and expectations. Ultimately, the use of both methodologies can lead to more efficient, reliable systems that provide an excellent patient experience.