INTERVIEW – The Consorci Sanitari del Garraf, a Catalan hospital PL has come to know well over the past few years, just won an Honorable Mention award at the World Hospital Congress.

Interviewee: Rosa Maria Simón, Quality Director, Consorci Sanitari del Garraf

Planet Lean: Tell us about the event and the award you have received.      

Rosa Maria Simón: We were given an Honorable Mention in the Management and Leadership category for our lean work at CSG. The 2017 International Awards of the International Hospital Federation (IHF) took place in Taipei, Taiwan this week. Attendees came from dozens of countries.

PL: Congratulations! What an achievement! How did the process unfold?

RMS: A few months ago, the Unio Catalana d’Hospitals asked us if we wanted to put forward the Consorci Sanitari del Garraf for an IHF award. We’d have to submit an article outlining our work and the results we achieved. Dr Ibañez, our CEO, and I discussed and, of course, we decided to focus the article on our lean efforts. Given the holistic nature of our transformation, the Management and Leadership category seemed to be the best fit.

PL: How does it feel to be among the best hospitals in the world?

RMS: We were completely surprised, and so honoured, when we heard the IHF had decided to give us an Honorable Mention – especially because there were around 800 projects running (in four categories). It feels fantastic and we couldn’t be happier!

PL: What does this mean for the lean healthcare community?

RMS: We see this as yet another demonstration of how impactful lean thinking can be in hospitals. It is an important recognition for everyone working at CSG, and we hope that the CEOs who heard our story in Taipei this week will be intrigued enough to give lean a try.

PL: Your example is one of the best ones we have come across. The Consorci Sanitari del Garraf has showed how much a small hospital can achieve with the right mission and through lean, in the face of very little resources. What are you up to now?

RMS: We are getting deeper in our lean practice, while working hard on the merger with the Consorcio Sanitario del Alt Penedés in Vilafranca. We are planning to bring lean there, as well, starting by introducing standardized work in external consultations, laboratory, and the ER. Stay tuned!

PL: What’s the secret behind the success of lean at CSG?

RMS: Our lean transformation wouldn’t have been successful without the direct involvement of our people, from front-line professionals to middle managers. Their role is fundamental: it is they who are leading the change. We salute their achievements. We would also like to thank the Instituto Lean Management for the support they have provided us over the years.

‍_{THE INTERVIEWEE}