Healthcare deserves systems that empower and engage people to deliver better care—and that starts with building your capability to create meaningful change.
I go by Takt, a name inspired by takt time, which I use as a pseudonym so I can share freely. I plan to share learnings, trainings, real-world examples, reflections, random thoughts (and ramblings), and anything that hopefully helps you grow.
My mission is to help you build the skills and confidence to improve your work, your team, and ultimately healthcare as a whole.
Lean isn’t just tools like 5S or Kanban; this episode we will discuss Toyota’s “Rules in Use” from Spear and Bowen’s article “Decoding the DNA of the Toyota Production System” and how they apply to healthcare. We will show how these "Rules in Use" shift root cause analysis from blame to process focused. We will highlight standard work as a baseline that reduces cognitive burden and makes abnormalities visible, then discuss a practical way to use the rules to validate true root causes and to design ideal processes. S2E6
23 Sept 2026
Digging Beneath the Symptoms: Getting to Root
In this episode, we talk about getting to root and using root cause analysis (RCA). We will focus on systems as the cause rather than blame. We'll discuss, at high-level, the 5 Whys and the fishbone (Ishikawa) diagram and shows how they help teams dig past first explanations. Common traps include blaming individuals, relying on quick fixes like more education or checklists, and solving yesterday’s problem instead of preventing tomorrow’s. We'll talk about the connection between RCA and respect for every individual. S2E5
26 Aug 2026
It Doesn't Need To Be Pretty: Gemba and Drawing the Current State
Before testing changes with PDSA, you need to understand the current process by going to the Gemba and sketching what actually occurs. In this episode, we'll talk about why simple current-state drawings surface hidden waste and align the team. S2E4
12 Aug 2026
Act II of PDSA: It's Study and Act
This episode we discuss why “Study” and “Act” are the steps that turn PDSA from activity into real learning and better care. We also walk through common vs special cause variation and data massaging (it breaks the learning cycle) S2E3
29 Jul 2026
From DDDD to PDSA: Planning and Doing with Intention
In this episode, we will discuss why the “Plan” and “Do” steps of PDSA (Plan, Do, Study, Act) are about testing changes to learn, not implementing fixes for success. We will outline what a strong plan includes and discuss that the do phase should stay small-scale. We will talk about the connection between PDSA to the scientific method and introduce the “if–then–as measured by” hypothesis format.S2E2
15 Jul 2026
Wrong Problem, Wrong Solution: Why Defining the Problem Matters
Season 2 kicks off with a focus on problem-solving by explaining why defining the problem is the essential first step before launching projects. The episode defines a problem, outlines what makes a strong problem statement, and discusses solution-bias, team disagreements, and scope creep. We'll talk about some practical methods to write problem statements, too!S2E1
20 May 2026
BE FAST: Signs of Stroke - Bonus Episode
Bonus episode from Stepping Up Healthcare! Learn about the BE FAST acronym—Balance, Eyes, Face, Arms, Speech, Time—to quickly spot common stroke warning signs. Strokes are time-sensitive, so if you notice even one sudden or unusual sign, call 911 or seek emergency care immediately! S1EBonus
6 May 2026
Go & See: A Process in its Natural Habitat - Observations and Interviews
Learn why Lean leaders must go to the gemba—the real place—rather than relying only on reports, and how to apply three core methods: silent observation (shadowing without interrupting), the Ono Circle (stationary observation), and interviewing staff. The episode we'll talk about closed vs. open-ended questions to start real Lean thinking and help develop problem solving. S1E11
15 Apr 2026
More Steps Than Sense: Why We Make Simple Tasks Complicated - Extra Processing
In this episode of Stepping Up Healthcare, we discuss the Lean waste of extra processing—doing more than needed to meet requirements. The episode contrasts adding more checks with poka yoke (error-proofing), emphasizing redesigning systems so the correct action is the easiest action rather than relying on double/triple checks. We will also talk about lean vs. safety/compliance. S1E10
8 Apr 2026
Getting Your Steps In (for all the Wrong Reasons) Waste in Motion - Motion
This episode explains motion waste in healthcare as unnecessary movement—especially searching and extra walking—and clarifies how it differs from transportation waste (moving yourself vs. moving items). It shows how motion quietly adds up into miles walked per shift, contributing to fatigue, sore feet, and breaks in focus that can increase error risk, while also compounding with other wastes like defects. The episode acknowledges aging hospital layouts and emphasizes designing systems that reduce trips and standardize supply locations. S1E9
25 Mar 2026
Hoarders: Hospital Unit Edition - Inventory
This episode explains inventory waste in healthcare. We will highlight why inventory waste matters: it takes up space, requires extra work, and disguises other problems. We discuss a 5S project on a code cart and supply room of a dental clinic. S1E8
11 Mar 2026
Frequent Flyer Miles_When Your Supplies Travel More Than You Do - Transportation
This episode explains transportation waste in healthcare as unnecessary movement of items, information, or people that doesn’t add patient value. We highlight why reducing transportation waste matters—lost minutes, increased distance and fatigue, and broken attention that leads to context switching and potential mistakes. This episode introduces using a simple spaghetti diagram during a “go and see” to trace staff movement and reveal improvement opportunities. S1E7
4 Mar 2026
Lost Potential: How We Undermine Engagement and Empowerment - Non Utilized Talent
This episode of Stepping Up Healthcare, we talk about non-utilized talent waste (N in DOWNTIME)—when staff skills, creativity, and insights aren’t actively invited, heard, acted on, or recognized—often showing up subtly as quietness and submission rather than obvious problems. Make sure to follow the Stepping Up Healthcare podcast! S1E6
25 Feb 2026
Everywhere Is a Waiting Room: Healthcare's Most Familiar Waste - Waiting
In this episode of Stepping Up Healthcare, we discuss the pervasive issue of waiting waste in healthcare, its impact on workflow, morale, and costs. We also will dive into the difference between batch work and single piece flow! S1E5
18 Feb 2026
More Isn't Better: The Trap of Overproduction - Overproduction
In this episode of Stepping Up Healthcare, we dive into the concept of overproduction in healthcare, explaining how it creates hidden work, consumes valuable time and attention, and covers for defects. Takt discusses the impact of the push versus pull mentality on healthcare efficiency. S1E4
11 Feb 2026
When Mistakes Multiply: Why Defects Hurt Everyone - Defects
Takt discusses the first waste of DOWNTIME, the pervasive issue of Defects in healthcare processes. He explores the types of defects, their impact on workflow, cost, trust, and staff morale, and provides real-world examples. S1E3
4 Feb 2026
Busy Can Feel Productive (But Isn't): VA, NVA, W
Takt discusses the importance of distinguishing between value-added work, non-value-added work, and waste in healthcare. Learn how to identify these categories to streamline processes and improve patient care. Set the foundation of understanding and eliminating waste in your daily workflow. S1E2
26 Jan 2026
Process Improvement Intuition: Red Flags of Broken Processes
In this episode of Stepping Up Healthcare, Takt emphasizes the importance of recognizing problems in healthcare processes before attempting to fix them. He discusses how minor gaps in processes often lead to workarounds that, over time, become standard practice. Takt shares tips on spotting red flags, such as inconsistencies and reliance on sheer willpower of staff, and introduces the principle of 'go and see' to observe real workflow conditions. Listeners are given homework to practice identifying unclear or complicated tasks as a starting point for improvement. S1E1
26 Jan 2026
Welcome to Stepping Up Healthcare
Welcome to the show!
We will talk about what this show is all about!
Whether you are a nurse or doctor, in hospital administration or sterile processing, we will be talking about your processes. Doesn't matter if you are clinical or nonclinical, it would be great to have here!
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Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
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Spotify
4.7 / 5
3 ratings
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