To the Editor: We read with some dismay the article by Winch and Henderson1 critically reviewing the introduction into health care of process improvement methods pioneered in manufacturing and service industries. We take issue with the article at several points.
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- 1. Winch S, Henderson AJ. Making cars and making health care: a critical review. Med J Aust 2009; 191: 28-29. <MJA full text>
- 2. Young TP, McClean SI. A critical look at Lean Thinking in healthcare. Qual Saf Health Care 2008; 17: 382-386.
- 3. Toussaint J. Writing the new playbook for US health care: lessons from Wisconsin. Health Aff (Millwood) 2009; 28: 1343-1350.
- 4. Ben-Tovim DI, Bassham JE, Bennett DM, et al. Redesigning care at the Flinders Medical Centre: clinical process redesign using “lean thinking”. Med J Aust 2008; 188 (6 Suppl): S27-S31. <MJA full text>
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David Ben-Tovim has undertaken work with Flinders Partners, the consulting arm of Flinders University, assisting the Victorian Department of Health with implementing their Redesigning Hospital Care Program. All fee income is directed to a university trust fund. He has been paid by the International Quality and Productivity Center, the Institute for International Research and Conferenz to provide patient flow master classes and for travel expenses to participate in professional meetings.