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The Role of Lean Process Improvement in Implementation of Evidence-Based Practices in Behavioral Health Care

The Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research volume 42, pages 504–518 (2015)Cite this article

Abstract

To effectively implement evidence-based practices (EBP) in behavioral health care, an organization needs to have operating structures and processes that can address core EBP implementation factors and stages. Lean, a widely used quality improvement process, can potentially address the factors crucial to successful implementation of EBP. This article provides an overview of Lean and the relationship between Lean process improvement steps, and EBP implementation models. Examples of how Lean process improvement methodologies can be used to help plan and carry out implementation of EBP in mental health delivery systems are presented along with limitations and recommendations for future research and clinical application.

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Conflict of Interest

The authors have no conflict of interest to report.

Author information

Affiliations

  1. Group Health Cooperative, 950 Pacific Ave Suite 900, Tacoma, WA, 98402, USA

    Bradley Steinfeld PhD

  2. Children’s Hospital, 6901 Sand Point Way, Seattle, WA 98145, 98145, USA

    Jennifer Scott MHA

  3. Group Health Cooperative, 322 W. North River Drive, Spokane 99201, WA, USA

    Gavin Vilander MS

  4. Group Health Cooperative, 1730 Minor Ave, Seattle, WA 98401, 98101, USA

    Larry Marx MD

  5. Seattle, WA, USA

    Michael Quirk PhD

  6. Molina Healthcare of Washington, Bothell, WA, USA

    Julie Lindberg LICSW

  7. Evidence Based Practice Institute, Seattle, WA, USA

    Kelly Koerner PhD

Authors
  1. Bradley Steinfeld PhD
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  2. Jennifer Scott MHA
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  3. Gavin Vilander MS
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  4. Larry Marx MD
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  5. Michael Quirk PhD
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  6. Julie Lindberg LICSW
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  7. Kelly Koerner PhD
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Correspondence to Bradley Steinfeld PhD.

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Steinfeld, B., Scott, J., Vilander, G. et al. The Role of Lean Process Improvement in Implementation of Evidence-Based Practices in Behavioral Health Care. J Behav Health Serv Res 42, 504–518 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11414-013-9386-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11414-013-9386-3

Keywords

  • Mental Health
  • Mental Health Care
  • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
  • Standard Work
  • Mental Health Organization