Untangling the Spaghetti: Improving Retrieval Time for CT Supplies Using 5S

The Huntsman CT supply room is a critical resource for patient imaging. However, the room is disorganized, and the time spent searching for the appropriate equipment can adversely affect the workflow for scanning and CT guided procedures. The time it takes to search for supplies plays a role in increasing patient and procedure time in CT, causing frustration from medical providers and staff and creating patient and provider dissatisfaction. Also, misplaced or forgotten supplies expire and become waste. The purpose of this project was to reduce the time to find supplies by 25% and to increase the satisfaction of both CT technicians and medical providers by reorganizing and clearly labelling supplies. Using the 5S Methodology for storage reorganization, we were able to achieve our goal of reducing the time to find supplies and increasing satisfaction scores from both CT technicians and medical providers. We were also able to decrease redundant foot traffic throughout the storage areas.