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Application of Lean Thinking to Radiation Therapy

University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Jameson Cancer Center, New Castle, Pennsylvania

To the Editor: The article on lean thinking in bone and brain metastases by Kim et al in the July 2007 issue of JOP provides yet another lesson to all of us on the potential advantages for patient care in applying innovative approaches based on production methods developed by the manufacturing industry.¹

While I question the assertion that same-day irradiation in and of itself leads to rapid amelioration of symptoms in patients with bone and brain metastases, judicious pain management in the former and steroids in the latter provide the initial rapid relief, and the same-day approach has important psychological and logistical benefits to the patients and their families.

For other centers, the details may differ, as pointed out by the authors, but the broad principle of establishing a "uniform standard process" based on stepwise improvements from a detailed analysis of existing approaches will be similar.

Have the authors parlayed their system to a broader group of patients, and will this produce cost savings?

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1. Kim CK, Hayman JA, Billi JE, et al: The application of lean thinking to the care of patients with bone and brain metastasis with radiation therapy. J Oncol Pract 3:189-193, 2007[Abstract/Free Full Text]

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This Article Extract Full Text (PDF) Submit a response to this article Purchase Article View Shopping Cart Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a colleague Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Rights & Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Proctor, J. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Proctor, J. Social Bookmarking                            What's this?