A Triumphant journey to 5S sustenance level I
Business Excellence Team, Kauvery Hospital,Chennai
Introduction
On August 23, 2024, the KCH unit achieved the 5S Sustenance Level I Certification from ABK AOTS DOKSAI at the Ramada Plaza Hotel in Guindy, Chennai.
Sustenance Level I Journey
The 5S Sustenance Level I kick-off was successfully conducted on September 20, 2023, by Dr. Mahesh Kumar, MS, in the presence of Ms. Uma (Chief of Staff), Ms. Anandhi (Head of Nursing Head), Mr. Narasimhan (Head of Operations), Mr. Sivasubramaniam (Unit HR), Mr. Dhansekar (5S Champion, Group Head – Business Excellence), Mr. Kathiravan (Engineering & 5S Coordinator). Immediately following the launch, the essential pillar heads were identified to drive the certification process.
After the kickoff, the respective pillar heads and teams were identified. Mr. Narasimhan took the lead in the leadership pillar, Mr. Kathiravan headed the basic 5S pillar, Mr. Sureshkumar led the MIP pillar, Ms. Dina led the standardization pillar, Mr. Siva Subramanium led total employee management, and Mr. Vijay Kanna led the Beyond Boundaries pillar. Each pillar head was supported by the business excellence team, providing guidance, resources, and expertise to ensure the successful implementation of 5S principles within their respective areas.
Introduction to Kauvery
Ms. Uma, Chief of Staff at Kauvery Hospitals, delivered a comprehensive introduction to the organization. Her presentation provided a deep dive into the history, mission, and values of Kauvery, highlighting the pivotal role that the 5S methodology plays in achieving operational excellence and ensuring a patient-centric environment. Ms. Uma emphasized how 5S principles, when implemented effectively, can streamline processes, enhance efficiency, and create a more organized and conducive workspace for both patients and staff.
Leadership Pillar
The leadership pillar is a critical aspect of the 5S sustenance journey, as achieving a score of 160 out of 200 is a prerequisite for obtaining Sustenance Level I certification. Recognizing the pivotal role of leadership in driving 5S initiatives, Mr. Narasimhan took on the challenge of leading this pillar. With a deep understanding of the subject, he effectively showcased his experience in fostering leadership involvement, communicating the importance of 5S in aligning with business objectives, and demonstrating its direct impact on enhancing patient satisfaction.
Basic 5S
The basic 5S pillar is another critical aspect of the sustenance journey, with a mandatory minimum score of 160 out of 200, similar to the leadership pillar. Mr. Kathiravan, the 5S Coordinator, took on the challenge of leading this pillar, supported by a dedicated team comprising Ms. Stella Towncent from Nursing, Mr. Shanmuganathan from ER, and Ms. Deepthi from Operations. Ms. Stella and Ms. Deepthi played a pivotal role in showcasing the team’s exceptional skills and performance during the presentation, effectively demonstrating the organization’s commitment to 5S practices. Additionally, the team showcased 38 NVA (Non-Value-Added) projects, highlighting their efforts to eliminate waste and improve efficiency within the organization.
MIP Pillar
The Management Improvement Project (MIP) pillar is a crucial showcase of the organization’s commitment to improving structural and instrumental processes. Led by Mr. Suresh Kumar C.R., Engineering & Internal Projects, the MIP team, consisting of Mr. Alex Thompson from Operations, Mr. Thara Kishore from Purchase, and Mr. Sankar from Finance, showcased an exceptional portfolio of 10 projects. With the support of the branding team, the MIP team created engaging video presentations to highlight the top 4 projects, providing a compelling visual representation
Standardization Pillar
The standardization pillar plays a pivotal role in the 5S journey, showcasing the organization’s commitment to standardized practices, formats, benchmarking, and visual management. KCH’s standardization efforts are a key highlight, with many practices benchmarked against neighboring KVP and KRR units. Led by Ms. Dina from Quality, the standardization team, including Ms. Arul Rose, Ms. Devika, Mr. Sesadri, and Ms. Nandini
TEI (Total Employee Involvement)
The TEI pillar is a crucial aspect of the 5S journey, showcasing the organization’s commitment to employee involvement and recognition. As many of the 5S processes involve employee participation, TEI is a vital component of the initiative. Mr. Sivasubramnium from HR took the lead in this pillar, supported by a team of Mr. Vishnu Karthikeyan from L&D, Ms. Vidhalakshmi from Operations, and Ms. Jose Lincy from Nursing. The team focused on fostering employee engagement in 5S activities and implementing effective recognition programs to celebrate their contributions.
Beyond Boundaries
The BYB pillar, while the final pillar in the sequence, is no less significant. This pillar focuses on extending the knowledge and benefits of 5S beyond the hospital walls, sharing best practices with external communities. Mr. Vijay Kanna from Operations and Mr. Kathiravan, the 5S Coordinator, took the lead in this initiative, supported by a team of Ms. Vani, Ms. Varsha, and Mr. Vignesh. The team successfully disseminated 5S knowledge to employees’ homes, hostels, and even to children, school, and college students, fostering a culture of organization and efficiency in these external environments.
Certification Journey
Mentor Review
The first step toward certification was marked by a comprehensive mentor review. Following the presentation of the sustenance efforts, an initial assessment was conducted by Ms. Uma and her team, followed by a detailed review by Mentor Mr. Mukundan. The mentor provided a thorough evaluation of each pillar’s strengths and weaknesses, offering valuable feedback and specific recommendations to address identified gaps. Mr. Mukundan’s insights were instrumental in guiding the KCH unit toward a successful mock audit, ensuring that the team was well-prepared to demonstrate their commitment to 5S principles and practices.
Internal Auditor Training
To enhance the capabilities of our internal audit team, we conducted a comprehensive training session based on the guidance of our mentor. The training focused on equipping our auditors with the necessary skills to effectively identify and address potential risks within the unit.
A total of 16 new internal auditors participated in the training. Mr. Shankar from the Finance department emerged as the top performer, showcasing his exceptional understanding of internal audit principles and practices.
Mock Audit
Mr. Vishwanathan, a renowned TQM Consultant, conducted the mock audit. The KCH team showcased their exceptional performance during both the presentation and floor audit, leaving the auditor with minimal suggestions for improvement. Mr. Vishwanathan’s thorough evaluation identified a few minor gaps in the sustenance journey, which the leadership team promptly addressed with corrective actions. His expert assessment was invaluable in ensuring that KCH was well-prepared for the final certification audit.
Ambassadors Launch
During the Mock Audit one of the OFI (opportunity of improvement) was to launch the Ambassador Concept. As per the Assessors OFI immediately after the audit the Ambassadors were selected, and training was conducted by Mr. Dhanasekar (5S Champion, Group Head-BE) and based on the training & results ambassador were selected and launched.
Final Audit
The final audit was scheduled for August 14, 2024, and was conducted by the TQM Consultants Mr. Murugan and Mr. J.H. Sastry. The KCH team delivered exceptional presentations, beginning with Ms. Uma’s introduction to Kauvery Hospitals. Mr. Narasimhan then showcased the leadership pillar, followed by Ms. Stella and Ms. Deepthi’s presentation on basic 5S. Mr. Alex and Mr. Suresh provided a detailed overview of the management improvement projects, while Ms. Dina highlighted the organization’s effective visual tools, controls, and processes through standardization. Mr. Sivasubramanium and Mr. Vishnu explained the Total Employee Involvement activities, and finally, Mr. Kathiravan concluded the presentations with a review of the Beyond Boundaries pillar, which served as a satisfying finale to the comprehensive audit.
The KCH unit’s successful attainment of the 5S Sustenance Level I Certification is a testament to its unwavering commitment to operational excellence. Through a collaborative effort involving leadership, employees, and dedicated teams, the unit effectively implemented and maintained 5S principles, resulting in a more organized, efficient, and patient-centric workplace. Significant milestones, including successful leadership, team collaboration, and continuous improvement efforts, marked the journey to certification. The KCH unit’s achievement sets a strong foundation for future growth and success, as it continues to prioritize operational efficiency, patient satisfaction, and a culture of continuous improvement.
Testimonial
Ms. Uma
Chief of Staffs
“Our achievement of 5S Sustenance Level I certification is a testament to the effectiveness of our 5S practices. This process has not only helped us understand our operations in a new light but has also unleashed our team’s creativity and potential.
I am extremely proud of how my team has embraced 5S as a cultural imperative. Their innovative approach and dedication have made a significant impact on our workplace, creating a more organized, efficient, and enjoyable environment.
This certification is a tangible example of our team’s ability to work together and achieve great things. It motivates us to continue our 5S journey and strive for even higher levels of excellence.”
Mr. Narashimhan
Head of Operations
“The 5S process has been instrumental in fostering a culture of creativity and innovation within our team. I personally found it inspiring and empowering, leading me to design our unique sustenance logo.
By streamlining our operations through 5S principles, we have successfully paved a way in achieving our financial year goals. Initiatives such as NVA, Kaizen, QC OPL, and others have played a pivotal role in enhancing our operational efficiency and overall performance.
I’m proud to be a part of such a dedicated team and to have the opportunity to showcase our unit’s achievements in the leadership pillar
The Sustenance Level I certification is a clear demonstration of our team’s dedication and collaborative efforts.
Ms. Anandhi
Head of Nursing
“As a clinical department, 5S has proven to be a cornerstone of our efforts to enhance patient safety and improve the quality of care. By meticulously implementing 5S principles, we have created a more organized, efficient, and safe work environment that directly benefits our patients.
The positive impact of 5S on our department is evident in the improvements we have achieved in quality, reduced waste, and enhanced morale. These enhancements have significantly contributed to our overall performance.
Our achievement of Sustenance Level I Certification is a testament to our team’s unwavering commitment to excellence and a powerful motivator
Mr. Kathiravan
5S Coordinator
“As a 5S Coordinator, I had the immense responsibility of leading our department towards 5S certification. With the unwavering support of my leadership team and the business excellence team, we were able to achieve the milestone
Each pillar head played a critical role in our success, demonstrating a top-down approach where everyone’s contributions were invaluable. Their commitment and hard work were instrumental in driving our 5S initiatives forward.
Throughout our 5S journey, we faced numerous challenges, but with perseverance and a collaborative spirit, we were able to overcome them. The support and encouragement from our leadership team and the business excellence team were invaluable in keeping us motivated and focused on our goals.
