The Application of the Toyota Production System LEAN 5S Methodology in the Operating Room Setting.

The purpose of the Toyota Production System (TPS) Lean 5S methodology project is to improve the efficiency and effectiveness in a process by eliminating identified process waste of (1) defects (errors), (2) overproduction, (3) waiting, (4) confusion, (5) motion/travel, (6) excess inventory, (7) overprocessing, and (8) human potential. The specific aim of this quality improvement project was to evaluate the impact of the TPS 5S tool process, a problem-solving, space-organizing tool, on distractions and interruptions in the neurosurgery operating room (OR) workflow with a goal to decrease neurosurgery craniotomy infection rates in a neurosurgery OR suite within a 3-month period.