Reduce Unique ICDs by Redesigning the Product or the Process

The objective of this activity is to reduce the number of ICDs by reducing the occurrence of an ICD in producing a unit of Output, or by reducing the number of separate ICDs used in the Output. A unique ICD is one of the key activities in the work center's contribution to the final product (O). It is separate and distinct from any other activity in the work center. For example, the fastening of a part onto a subassembly and a quality control check of the subassembly would be unique ICDs.

B. Redesign the process of producing the ICD or Output

Change the process used to produce the ICD or Output to eliminate activities.

5. Reduce errors in process

Clarify instructions:
Make specific match between work in process and instructions

No.	Industry SIC	Year	Notes
1	3571	1992	At Toshiba's flexible computer factory, workers assemble 9 different word processors on the same line and, on an adjacent one, 20 varieties of laptops. Workers have been trained to make each model, but also have a laptop at each post that displays a drawing and instructions–these change when the model does.
2	3714	1988	Metalloy improved quality, reduced number of defects drastically through instructions posted at each station and quality controls built into each function.
3	8051	2001	In order to update its services, American Healthways has invested $40 million in high-tech gear like clinical information systems that give nurses guidelines to follow when calling patients.
4	8062	2006	Veterans' Hospitals are now national leaders in efficiency and quality because of a large dose of technology. The VA agency installed bar-code scanners in its hospitals to match patients, drugs, and doctors' orders, which reduced medication errors.
5	8062	2006	Research has found that many preventable hospital incidents occur during the transfer of patients from one ward to another. St. Joseph's Health System uses a "Ticket to Ride" method in which patients are asked a series of questions about medications, infections and other medical issues. Other hospitals are likely to follow suit as the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations began requiring US hospitals to standardize their procedures for handoffs.
6	8062	2006	Research has found that many preventable hospital incidents occur during the transfer of patients from one ward to another. Kaiser Permanente of California adopted a system used for change-of-command on nuclear submarines to ensure that patients and their vital documentation are transferred safely. Other hospitals are likely to follow suit as the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations began requiring US hospitals to standardize their procedures for handoffs.
7	8062	2006	Hospitals are creating new procedures aimed at reducing miscues as nurses and doctors transfer patients to next shift. As part of its transition to electronic medical records, Kaiser has developed a Nurse Knowledge Exchange computer program, which allows departing nurses to create customized electronic reports on patients for the incoming nurse, such as lab results or medication changes. However, the nurse coming on duty also makes bedside rounds with the outgoing nurse to avoid more possibilities of patient harm.

<<Return to Reduce Unique ICDs in Process