ThedaCare is the largest healthcare provider and employer in Northeast Wisconsin, with more than 5,400 employees at 43 sites, serving more than 250,000 unique patients in a 14-county area. ThedaCare began its Lean journey over six years ago and calls its Lean improvement system the ThedaCare Improvement System (TIS). ThedaCare is one of the first healthcare organizations in the U.S. to successfully adapt the Toyota Production Systems (TPS). ThedaCare started by introducing Value Stream mapping and followed that with rapid improvement events and projects, which are key components of the Thedacare Improvement System. The goal, defined by leadership, focused on improving patient care, by creating a community of problem-solvers. However, while achieving breakthrough results in many areas, something was missing. As the rate of daily improvement began to plateau, concerns arose about diminishing returns. Reflecting on the progress they had achieved, ThedaCare realized that the improvement strategy had a critical missing link. Hear how the search to solve this problem resulted in a management system it calls the Business Performance System. Learn about the ThedaCare Improvement System (TIS). Hear about ThedaCare’s Lean journey towards a systematic management system and Business Performance System. Find out how to sustain Value Stream results and create momentum around daily continuous improvement. Learn how to help managers understand their performance and meet targets, while developing people and building effective teams.

Transforming hospital management in a Lean improvement environment.