Comments on: Lean Manufacturing Topic of the Day: What would a “Lean Healthcare” bill look like if designed by experts in Lean Manufacturing?

By: Michael

Michael — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 13:11:31 +0000

I have a real life story and comment: I have a Friend who also lives in the Netherlands. Last Sept 2009 he came to live with me, so, he could go to the USA doctors and be treated for a sleeping disorder that allowed his heart to stop beating while he was asleep. He said he was not getting the treatment he needed from the Netherlands Health System. His wife could not sleep at nights for having to watch him while he went to sleep. She would shake him if he stopped his normal breathing pattern. She would then try to sleep while he was awake. Within four weeks in the US he had a cure. I would suggest you feel sorry for the people in the Netherlands, and pray the people in the US get out of this Obama mess! LEAN LIVE ON!!!!!

By: Jack

Jack — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 15:06:16 +0000

Hi Rob, Hi Chaovalitt,

We thank you for your comments.

Rob, your system does indeed seem “lean” from the patient perspective. And you appear to be quite happy with it.

At the current conversion rate, you are paying about $144/mo. That does seem to be quite inexpensive. Does your 100 Euros cover just you? Or does it also cover your entire family? Does it cover the costs of drugs? Are you the only payer, or does your employer also contribute?

From a “Lean” perspective, we are always looking to optimize the whole, as opposed to the individual pieces. In this case we’d want to look at the total system cost, not just your (the patient) direct out of pocket expense.

To do that we’d need to compare tax rates, and other indirect costs.

We’d also want to put some sort of value on individual freedom (can you choose any doctor? Any hospital? Any time?); On wait times for an appointment; On how modern and up to date are the equipment, techniques, and facilities; and most importantly, On the quality and efficacy of the care given.

It is these questions that have made the healthcare debate so polarized here in the States.

It would be an interesting comparison!

Jack

By: chaovalitt

chaovalitt — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 05:14:41 +0000

My point of view, the pillar of succes for lean healthcare may be differed from manufacturing, other services and so on. Trying to lean may be too slow response. We may need to find the way of leap together with customer instead of to win the business. At the end of the day, we have to hand to hand with them to meet to speedy/quality/cost by one stop services.

By: Rob van Stratum

Rob van Stratum — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 05:26:34 +0000

Hi there, since I come from the Netherlands I feel really sorry for you USA folks when I look at this problem.
Our system is quit different; As a 57 year old person I pay about 100 euro per month for a very good insurance package. Whenever I visit a hospital or a physician I show themt my insurance card, which looks like a credit card, and then everything is taken care for, I never see any bill at all.
so that’s real LEAN, I would say.