Patient Quality and Safety

Lean, Mean, and Fast on Scene: What Toyota, Toast, Triathlon and Quality Metrics Can Teach Us

Monday, October 24, 2022

15:30 – 16:30

Location: Room 123

CE: 1.0 credit - CAPCE; Nursing; MTSP-C; ACHE

Main Presenter(s)

Sarah Barber, FP-C, BS in Psychology

Quality Management Manager and Flight Paramedic
Life Flight Network
Boise, Idaho, United States

Co-Presenter(s)

Shelly R. Rose, BSN, CFRN

Clinical Education Manager
Life Flight Network
Nampa, Idaho, United States

Scene-time goals are a slippery slope in the air medical transport industry, as safety is the number one priority. However, expeditious transport for patients with life-threatening injuries or time-sensitive emergencies is also a priority, along with customer service for the agencies requesting urgent assistance. With that in mind, Life Flight Network took a deep dive into reducing scene times without increasing risk. By applying L.E.A.N. principles, quality metrics, and educational interventions, LFN was able to reduce scene times by a substantial percentage which translates into better patient outcomes, satisfied customers, and more efficient staff. Many of the strategies employed are borrowed from other industries, proving that thinking outside the air medical box can be the key for key performance indicators.

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion, participants will be able to explain, demonstrate, and apply L.E.A.N. principles to their clinical and operational practice with an eye towards improving efficiency in multiple aspects.
Upon completion, participants will identify how to use Quality metrics and tools to evaluate a current data point, recognize a need for improvement, plan an intervention, and improve a process.
Upon completion, participants will assess and evaluate EMS and look to other industries when seeking improvement methods for key performance indicators.