Applying the 5S Tool to Healthcare Service

During meetings with internal and external stakeholders, Kaiser Permanente Colorado’s Medicaid Enrollment Project Team utilized an innovative application of the lean 5S tool. This quality tool is derived from five Japanese terms beginning with “s” used to create a workplace suited for visual control and lean production:

Seiri means to separate needed tools, parts, and instructions from unneeded materials and to remove the unneeded ones.
Seiton means to neatly arrange and identify parts and tools for ease of use.
Seiso means to conduct a cleanup campaign.
Seiketsu means to conduct seiri, seiton, and seiso daily to maintain a workplace in perfect condition.
Shitsuke means to form the habit of always following the first four s’s.

Below, the Japanese terms are translated into the English language version of the 5S’s.

Japanese Translated English
Seiri organize sort

Seiton orderliness set in order

Seiso cleanliness shine

Seiketsu standardize

Shitsuke discipline sustain