Page 66 - Demo

64identify specific problems in institutions, we follow a model that benefits from both lean and sustainability thinking.A Thought Process For TransformationW h i l e n o m o d e l i s p e r f e c t , a structured thought-process can guide organisations as they navigate the complexities of sustainability action. The journey begins with clear direction (figure 6), embedding sustainability into the heart of the strategy, and setting the tone for change. The Doughnut Model helps to understand the material impacts affecting operational continuity or caused by the hospital operations. This perspective uncovers pressing concerns along the supply chain and along the patient care value streams, from procurement through to waste disposal, pinpointing the “hotspots” to improve.Mapping patient journeys and the resources consumed along the way, or the development of detailed life cycle assessments may present deeper insights. These may reveal opportunities as shown in table 1. Once priorities are clear, teams can apply lean tools to tackle issues methodically through iterative PDCA loops and Kaizen events.Guided by a model for transformation, leaders inevitably face questions around costs and the upside of building sustainable healthcare institutions. An important part of the journey is crafting a solid business case for change.Table 1: Potential Improvement Examples (Heathcote, 2023)