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Innovative Approach Reduces Price of Health Care, Improves Patient Safety
$7.5 Million Benefit Realized in 2004
ST. LOUIS PARK, Minn., March 30 /PRNewswire/ -- As patients, politicians, businesses and health care providers all across the country grapple with the rising price of health care, Park Nicollet Health Services (PNHS) is taking a national leadership role in reducing waste in health care and controlling rising health care costs. Park Nicollet is one of only a handful of health care systems in the country that has made a system wide commitment to utilizing the waste-reducing, quality-improving techniques of the Toyota Production System, also known as "Lean Production."
The early results are impressive, with measurable and substantial improvements in patient care and safety, patient access and improved wait times. The $7.5 million benefit realized in 2004 from Lean Production helped Park Nicollet achieve a record 3.9% operating margin, allowing it to lower its fees on average to uninsured patients. As more savings are realized, Park Nicollet is committed to finding other ways to create better value for their patients and community in terms of improved care and lowered prices.
Park Nicollet owns Methodist Hospital, a 426-bed facility in St. Louis Park, MN that was founded in 1892. It also owns Park Nicollet Clinic, with 25 locations in suburban Minneapolis, in addition to its specialty clinics and centers of excellence. Park Nicollet receives 1.6 million patient visits annually. Add the workers of Park Nicollet Institute and Park Nicollet Foundation,...