Stryker ViMotion

Video-based process analysis in Steigerwald

Hospital Burgebrach, Germany
Stryker ViMotion
Videobasierte Prozessanalyse in der Steigerwaldklinik Burgebrach

“Using Stryker’s ViMotion software as a tool for process analysis has led
to a higher level of transparency within our organization. We found that
the video-based analysis system was especially helpful in improving occupational
safety with the support of our employees and Stryker’s Healthcare Services team. By
implementing Lean Management measures, we were also able to reduce the share of
non-value-added activities by about 40%. Apart from carrying out further projects in
cooperation with Stryker Healthcare Services, we will continue to use ViMotion
independently to analyze and improve our processes step by step.”
Brigitte Angermann, Deputy Managing Director, Jura Hospital Scheßlitz, Germany

Results Another step ahead measures, the number of

• 30 % reduction in tasks that
cause back strain
• 40 % reduction in movement
through layout adjustments
• 30 % reduction in process time
• 30 % reduction in process-related
labor costs
Consequences
• Improved occupational safety
by identifying and eliminating
potentially harmful working
methods
• Increased employee satisfaction
• Process stabilization and
optimized human resource
planning
• 110 minutes in additional capacity
(10 additional standard beds
per day)
Since 1995, Burgebrach’s Steigerwald
Hospital has been managed
according to private-sector principles
under the sponsorship of the
Bamberg district hospital association
(Gemeinnützige Krankenhaus-
gesellschaft des Landkreises
Bamberg mbH). Its concept of holistic
patient care combines modern
medical services with supportive
counseling to cater for the patients’
emotional well-being. In October
2005, the hospital with a capacity of
118 beds opened a new department
for psychosomatic medicine and
psychotherapy to complement
its range of healthcare services.
Since 2006 it has been working in
conjunction with Jura Hospital in
Scheßlitz, operating under the name
Klinikum des Landkreises Bamberg
(Bamberg clinical center).
Patient and staff safety
With an occupational safety expert
regularly inspecting and assessing
work-related risks, staff safety
is systematically monitored and
measures to improve accident
prevention are consistently
introduced. Thanks to these
occupational accidents in the hospital
has been very low in past years.
“Nevertheless, there is still room for
improvement in this area. Improving
occupational safety, reducing risks
and creating ergonomic work places
and processes by avoiding high levels
of physical strain is very important
to us”, says Ute Linsner, who chairs
the hospital works council.
Matthias Opel,
Administrative Manager
of Steigerwald
Hospital’s
“Since Stryker’s Healthcare Services
team supports the introduction of
ViMotion for a period of one year, we
have been able to use the software to
its full potential right from the start.
Mapping work processes visually
encourages an objective discussion
throughout the entire process
analysis, so problems can be
identified and openly discussed.
Being able to easily identify activities
that cause physical strain has brought
us significantly closer to our goal of
Central Bed Services – Before
Layout
Steam Cleaner
Detergent
Bed
Laundry bin
improving our hospital’s occupational
health and safety performance in the
long term.”
Various studies illustrate the
importance of providing optimal
working conditions in terms of
ergonomics and occupational safety
to the benefit of staff and thus
ultimately the patients’ well-being.
The 2005 healthcare report published
by the statutory health insurers
DAK and BGW ¹ shows that in
Germany about 25 % of sick days
among inpatient nursing staff are
due to musculoskeletal disorders
(MSD). The physically strenuous tasks
in themselves, such as lifting and
shifting of patients, do not constitute
the sole reason for the high number
of MSDs. Rather, it is the frequency
and duration of these activities in
the working routine that play a
crucial role.
See – Understand – Improve
Following the successful
implementation of Lean Management
projects in Jura Hospital’s central ER
and OR, the Bamberg clinical center
decided to continue its cooperation
1
DAK-BGW Gesundheitsreport 2005, Stationäre Krankenpflege
Movement
with Stryker’s Healthcare Services analysis of their work processes, and
Team in Burgebrach’s Steigerwald with the competent support of the
Hospital. The specified goal of Stryker team, we were able to
improving occupational safety and develop ideas to significantly improve
further optimizing processes was to the work processes that we analyzed.
be achieved using the video-based By introducing simple measures like
analysis tool ViMotion. This choice changes in equipment layout, we
was based on the fact that ViMotion were able to cut down on staff
offers the possibility of visualizing movement and improve occupational
process activities that pose a risk to safety. Apart from the success
health and subsequently classifying achieved regarding work processes
these by levels of strain. At the same and occupational safety, it was
time, a conventional process analysis remarkable how actively shaping their
based on Lean Management working environment has boosted our
principles can be carried out to employees’ motivation.”
identify and reduce non-value-added
activities.
Ute Linsner
Chair of Steigerwald
Hospital’s works
council
“Initially, I felt skeptical at having our
work processes recorded on video,
but it was a positive surprise for me
to see the results and benefits of the
project upon its completion. Through
the active involvement of our staff,
who were eager to contribute to the
Central Bed Services – After

Layout Movement

Steam Cleaner
Laundry bin

Detergent

Bed

Looking back Proportion of value-added

The process analysis was performed Before After
for the hospital’s bed cleaning unit,
where four members of staff carry out
the cleaning procedure for beds that
20 % 30 %
are brought back from the wards. The
3.2 min. 3.2 min.
first step in this procedure consists of
stripping the bed on the dirty side and
then cleaning the bedstead using a
high-pressure cleaner and processing
80 % 70 %
the mattress in a disinfection unit.
12.8 min. 7.7 min.
On the clean side, new sheets are put
on the bed, which is then ready to be
picked up for reuse. The main
characteristics of this process were
a constant high level of physical strain value-added value-added
and a lot of taff movement resulting non-value-added non-value-added
from poor equipment layout. The
lack of a defined standardized Process time: 16 min. Process time: 10.9 min.
work process led to frequent
overprocessing with parts of the
bedsteads being cleaned several
times. The process resulted in a
growing workload, which increased
the psychological and physical
strain experienced by staff and had
a negative effect on occupational
safety.
Reduction in non-value-added activities
Transport
Overprocessing
Movement
0% 10 % 20 % 30 % 40 %
Current situation
Based on the analysis of the work
processes, it was possible to reduce
the staff’s workload by implementing
their suggestions for improvement
while at the same time increasing
occupational safety. Quick win
measures like adjustments in
equipment layout to reduce staff
movement were realized on the basis
of an action plan immediately
following the video analysis. In
addition, a process description for a
standardized cleaning procedure was
developed in cooperation with the
head of department. This measure
allowed for a reduction in process
time and an increase in the share of
value-added activities.
50 % 60 % 70 % 80 %
Next steps Authors
“The intuitive nature of the software Brigitte Angermann*, Dr. med.
enabled us to independently carry out Hank Schiffers**, Matthias Opel*,
a successful follow-up project in our Ute Linsner*, Michael Kahler**,
bed cleaning unit”, says Matthias Bert Hoffmann**
Opel, Administrative Manager in (* Klinikum des Landkreises Bamberg,
Burgebrach’s Steigerwald Hospital. ** Stryker GmbH & Co. KG)
The next project supported by
Stryker’s Healthcare Services team
will be carried out in the hospital’s
OR. Transport and movement
typically make up a significant share
of OR processes, so apart from
improvements in occupational safety,
their main potential lies in the
reduction of non-value-added
activities.
Anwendungprozesse qualitätsgesichert für
Datenschutz und Persönlichkeitsrechtsschutz durch
 Joint Replacements

Trauma, Extremities & Deformities

Craniomaxillofacial

Spine

Biologics

Surgical Products

Neuro & ENT

Interventional Spine

Navigation

Endoscopy

Communications

Patient Handling Equipment

EMS Equipment

Germany
Stryker GmbH & Co. KG
Dr.-Homer-Stryker-Platz 1
47228 Duisburg
Phone + 49 2065 837-0
Fax + 49 2065 837-837
www.stryker.de

Austria
Stryker GmbH
Europlaza
Gebäude G
Am Euro Platz 2
1120 Vienna
Phone +43 1 813 2000
Fax +43 1 813 1616

Switzerland
Stryker Osteonics SA
Niederlassung Selzach
Dr. Homer Stryker Strasse 1
2545 Selzach/SO
Phone +41 32 641 6 950
© 2010 Stryker Corporation Fax +41 32 641 6 955
Alle Rechte vorbehalten. Das Stryker Logo ist ein
eingetragenes Warenzeichen. Stryker behält sich
das Recht vor, alle oder einen Teil seiner Produkte
zu modifizieren, um höchstmögliche Qualität zu
gewährleisten. Gedruckt in Deutschland.

HCS-ASB-001
Artikel-Nr.: HCS-ASB-001
Stand: Oktober 2010