Value Stream Analysis (VSA)

Definition: Value Stream Analysis

A process improvement approach designed to eliminate inefficient and unproductive (non-value-added) steps in a process and to improve the effectiveness, quality, and integration of the remaining or new steps.

In response to recommendations from the Clinical Trials Task Force, ACTSI and RESK leadership supported the subsequent conduct of two Value Stream Analyses. On May 24-29, 2010 Georgia Tech’s Process Improvement/Lean Group for Healthcare facilitated a VSA to examine critical aspects of operations and oversight of clinical trials, with the objective of designing a desired future state and identifying process improvement initiatives. Participants in the VSA included representatives from the IRB, Research Compliance, Research Nursing, Credentialing, Clinicians, Principal Investigators, Research Coordinators, Office of Quality & Risk, Research Pharmacy, Information Technology, and Financial Services.

On April 27-29, 2010 Georgia Tech’s Process Improvement/Lean Group for Healthcare facilitated a VSA to examine critical aspects of the financial and regulatory approval of clinical trials. Participants in the VSA included representatives from the IRB, Research Compliance, Office for Clinical Research (OCR), Office for Sponsored Programs (OSP), Emory School of Medicine Budget and Finance Office, Principal Investigators, Research Coordinators, Research Pharmacy, Information Technology, and Financial Services. A number of outcomes were achieved from both VSAs, including:

New Oversight and Structure for Clinical Trials
A Checklist for Clinical Trials Initiation
Research & Research Staff Training: Key Concepts in Clinical Research
Research Subject Advocacy: ACTSI Safety Advisory Subcommittee