5s - Five terms beginning with 'S' (sort, simplify, sweep, standardize, self-discipline) used to create a clean and well-organized workplace.

A3 - Named after a paper size (11x7), the format of this planning document helps people think through a problem's solution and outline who should do what and by when to solve the problem.

ACAS (Acute Care Access Services.) - Group that facilitates admitted patient placement, transfer and discharge into and from an inpatient hospital bed.

ALC (Alternate Level of Care) - Required when a patient occupies a bed in a facility but does not require the intensity of resources and services provided in that care setting.

Ambulatory Care - Also known as outpatient care, ambulatory care are health services provided to patients who are not admitted to hospital in a stand-alone area separate from inpatient units.

Andon - An alert to problems, either defects in process or quality, using visuals and/or sounds.

Average Daily Run Rate - The amount of money it costs, on average, to operate Saskatoon Health Region each day.

CPAS (Client Patient Access Services) - Provides access to and determines eligibility for special care homes, home care, community therapies and community volunteer services.

Defect - An uncorrected mistake that transfers to other areas, creating systemic issues or even patient harm.

Flow of Information - A system where information needed to provide care to a patient is available exactly when needed.

Gemba - The workplace

Hallway Medicine - A term used to describe situations where admitted patients are cared for in a hospital bed or stretcher in an area not designated as a bed space. Hallway medicine generally means less privacy, access to medical aids such as oxygen and suction is provided by portable machines rather than wall access, and methods for contacting care providers are inconsistent and in some cases manually operated by the patient.

Hoshin - An item requiring a breakthrough approach to achieve systematic change.

Hoshin Kanri - A system to set goals, establish plans to achieve those goals and create measures to ensure progress.

Kaizen - Japanese word meaning "good change." Lean methodology term used to describe the practice of continuous improvement.

Kaizen Fellow - A participant in the Kaizen Fellowship Program; each fellow is assigned a project to achieve system improvements.

Kaizen Fellowship Program - A program intended to: (1) develop and retain executive talent capable of and competent in advancing the implementation of the Saskatchewan Health Care Management System; (2) develop Lean expertise in potential future leaders; and (3) spread knowledge.

Kanban - A visual management tool, such as a card or container, to signal when new supplies, parts or services are needed.

Lead Time - The time required to complete a process.

LTC - Long-term care

Mistake (Error) - Something done incorrectly through a misunderstanding or as the result of an unreliable or unstable process.

Mistake Proofing - A process that examines the root causes for mistakes and aims to prevent them before they create defects.

Off-Servicing - When a patient receives services other than those designated for that ward bed.

3P (Production, Preparation, Process) - Often used with facility design, brings together a team of people from various disciplines to create new processes for an area.

PDCA or PDSA (Plan Do Check Act or Plan Do Study Act) - A four-step model for carrying out change. Just as a circle has no end, the PDCA or PDSA cycle should be repeated again and again to refine a process.

Personal Care Home - A private business that provides accommodation, meals and supervision or assistance with personal care to adults in a residential, family-like atmosphere.

Pull System - A system where care is available when the patient requires it, without waits.

RPIW (Rapid Process Improvement Workshop) - A week-long event, bringing together patients, family members, employees and clinicians to focus on solving one problem and to propose solutions and implement sustainable change. The team checks to see if the change is still working after 30, 60 and 90 days.

Repatriation - A process in transitioning patients to their home hospital when they no longer require our services.

Takt Time - The rate at which an item needs to be completed to meet patient/client/resident demand.

Temporary Pods - Areas of a unit, usually consisting of several beds, meant to be used for patient care in times of overcapacity. Pods are not regularly staffed and require additional staff, equipment and supplies to be brought in to monitor patients when the space is used.

Wall Walk (Huddle) - A short (often stand-up) meeting that brings employees and their supervisors together at the same time each day or week to discuss team progress.

Visibility Wall - A permanent location where a team's data, metrics, activities and other information can be viewed daily.