Many people believe that it is impossible to calculate ROI for a 5S program. This is troubling to those champions who not only have to come up with a plan, but also generate funding to sustain a 5S initiative.
Let’s face it, in any organization, the inability to measure return on investment makes the process of prying Ben Franklin out of management’s tight fist that much more difficult.
“Show me the value and I will show you the money,” says budget-conscious manger.
There is a belief that the only way to measure ROI is by determining how much money has been saved. On the contrary, in 5S for healthcare, the patient’s safety and recovery is of such great importance that it can and will override financial savings.
Do these statements sound familiar to you?
- We need to get better at covering shift changes.
- We need to eliminate hospital-acquired infections.
- The Joint Commission is coming in, we need to get ready.
- Other departments are taking our supplies.
- Why can’t I find what I need, when I need it?
Did you notice? Very few of those issues have a direct impact on budget, but they all have a direct impact on saving lives.
So when developing ways to quantify your 5S success, ask yourself: Did our initiatives support and improve patient safety and recovery? “Yes” can be the only answer. Next questions are how and how much.
5S ROI is Easy to Measure, But It’s Difficult
It’s Easy
Problems are always readily available and identifiable. Because of this, the likelihood that your facility has already made efforts to solve those problems are high.
This is great for any 5S initiatives you would like to implement. They’ll work in conjunction with other ROI-driving activities already being addressed at your facility.
It’s Difficult
Finding data on why processes are ineffective is not easy. In fact, that data may not exist. To measure ROI, baseline data needs to be collected.
- How often and when are we short-staffed?
- What areas are more susceptible to HAIs?
- Are we compliant with The Joint Commission?
- Who is taking our stuff and why?
- How much time does it take to do my job as of today?
- Can’t we just fire someone?
What’s In It for Me?
While 5S for healthcare should be thought of as a culture change an dnot a program or project, the scope and purpose should be clearly defined upfront. That includes any expected benefits (ROI).
“What’s in it for me?” needs to be explained any time we ask people to invest in a new way of working. Taking the time to formulate ROI measureables will manage expectations and build a strong 5S foundaiton within your facility.