Determining what healthcare should be

By any name, standardized work can propel clinical improvement 

By Tedd Karr

Using the term “standardized work” with a group of clinicians is certain to generate perplexed looks. Given the extensive combinations of patient conditions and permutations of available treatment options, excessive variation seems to be a predominant factor in any clinical setting. Although clinicians may concede that report formats, checklists, computer input screens and other documents could be candidates for standardization, patientcentered events often are deemed to be highly unique and individualized when described by front-line care providers.