Reducing Documentation Errors by Designing a Continuous Workflow for the In-Process of Spinal Needles

Abstract

Good Documentation Practices are essential to maintain a robust Quality System. Many documentation errors were constantly found on acceptance records at the Product Release-to-Packaging stage. A Flow Diagram and a Root Cause Analysis were performed to identify deficiencies on the process that were leading to errors. Four different types of wastes were found multiple times in the in-process of spinal needles, constantly interrupting the flow of work and information. A continuous flow is achieved by re-designing the in-process documentation. The new acceptance record avoids most of the documentation mistakes by replacing handwritten forms with electronic forms, ultimately, improving productivity and achieving a leaner process. Key Terms⎯ Continuous Workflow, Good Documentation Practices, Lean Manufacturing, Root Cause Analysis.