122 ◾ Healthcare Value Proposition
◾◾ Assign members of the work group to their respective 5S areas. ◾◾ Install a 5S communication board. ◾◾ Determine 5S targets, activities, scope, and schedules. ◾◾ Review and finalize plans with the work group and site leaders.
The Steps for Implementing 5S Methodology 1. First S—Sorting: The objective of the first S is to separate the needed from the not needed and conduct an initial cleaning. The following steps are required: – Establish criteria for handling non-needed items – Take “before” photographs, as required – Identify not-needed items – Move not-needed items to a holding area – Conduct an initial cleaning – Use the red tag approach to tag the items Begin the red tag process by providing red labels (tags) to every employee involved. Ask the employees to go through every item in the workplace and address the questions listed below. – Is the item needed? If so, what is the quantity? – If needed, what is the frequency of its use? – If needed, is this the ideal location for it? – Who has ultimate responsibility for the item? – What other items are adding to the clutter in the work area? Apply red tags to items that are not needed. Store such items in a designated area called the red tag area. Place the suspected items in the red tag area for one week. Give staff time to re-evaluate the “needed items,” just in case they change their minds. After one week, determine items that need to be returned for future use. Table 6.1 provides a guideline for item and equipment use and storage. Individual departments should each have a holding area, which should be clearly visible and marked to ensure the visual control of items. Display pictures of items and place them on a bulletin board visible to all. Responsibility for the holding area should be assigned to certain
