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6S — Workplace Organization

6S is a workplace organization system. We use the 6S approach to help team members create and maintain an orderly environment to reduce waste, improve flow and ensure quality & safety.

6S is often used as a foundation for continuous improvement and a method to engage team members to take ownership of improving their work area.

The approach involves working through 6 steps that all start with the letter S.

Why Use 6S?

  • Seeks to eliminate waste and/or non-value-added activities, excess inventory, safety risks, and errors to make the best use of resources (people, material, supplies, equipment)
  • Makes it easy to see normal and/or abnormal conditions
  • Eliminates the need for searching, walking, and reaching. Items have “home’ locations that are labeled and easily found.
  • Facilitates pride in the workplace and enhances the professional image of an area
  • Establishes a foundation of the importance of standards and discipline, keeps the area in ready state for survey visits
  • Creates work environments that promote productivity, efficiency, quality, safety, space utilization and response time to patients and internal customers

Introduction: 6S

6S Steps

1 - SORT
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Remove Unnecessary Items
Get rid of what is not needed.
2 - SET FOR FLOW
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Organize in a Systemic Way
Arrange for efficiency of finding, using, and returning. A place for everything, and everything in it’s place.
3 - SCRUB
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Clean and Resolve
Clean and inspect the work area for problems. Ensure a tidy and professional appearance, everything ready for use.
4 - SAFETY
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Make it Safe
Ensure there are good working conditions and no safety concerns.
5 - STANDARDIZE
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Make it Consistent
Establish standards, schedules, and responsibilities to maintain the conditions of the work environment.
6 - SUSTAIN
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Make it a Habit
Reinforce the standards, discipline, and good habits.

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6S Resources

6S Job Aid
Job Aid
6S Numbers Game
Practice
6S Audit Form
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6S Event Planning
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6S Post Event
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6S Red Tag
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IU Health 6S Examples

Set for Flow
Example
Improving Supply Distribution
Example
Improving Workflow
Example
Increased Efficiency
Example
Optimizing Supply Inventory
Example
Team Member Environment
Example

Need more help?

Contact the Transformation System General Inbox by email at TSGI@iuhealth.org or connect with a regional/business unit Transformation office for local support.

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