
207Implementing Lean in a Healthcare Environment
tools. Streamlining overall communication involves building interfaces so all the different IT systems
can talk to each other. This is not an easy task. There are ERP systems available now for hospitals.
Lean teams require varying levels of IT support throughout their improvement journey. Other
support needs involve POU printers and supplying software needs to the team.
The real key when improving processes is not to purchase software to x problems or stream-
line a process until after the process has been “Leaned” out. In addition, the software needs to be
exible. It needs to support Kanban applications ...