Electronic Health Reporter

SAN DIEGO, CA — June 18, 2014 – The professionals of PCD Systems, Inc. (Lebanon, NH) have agreed to combine their business with Creative Healthcare (CHC), headquartered in San Diego. PCD Systems helped pioneer the integration of Lean Six Sigma tools and techniques with ISO 9001 in a variety of healthcare settings; the firm also brings industry-respected expertise in the design and implementation of quality systems in oncology.

Ian R. Lazarus, FACHE, founding principal at CHC, explained the benefits of the combination this way: “We have known Wes Chapman and the PCD team for three years, and have come to respect their extensive skills and knowledge in ISO 9001. Their vision for the application of technology and lean techniques in ISO quality management systems perfectly complements our core capabilities and provides us dynamic capability for future growth.” Chapman was one of the founding members of PCD Systems.

Chapman described the combination similarly. “CHC is a perfect fit for our skills and core competencies. Ian and his partner Dr. Mathews have built a tremendous team and have a cadre of long-term relationships reflecting terrific customer satisfaction. Our toolkit is perfectly complementary with the CHC teams, and we look forward to the opportunity to assist in the growth of ISO based systems in clinical care, grounded in best-in-class Lean and Six Sigma continuous process improvements.”

Steve Maker, vice president of technology and quality systems at PCD Systems, notes that, “The creation of such a system requires deep understanding in multiple fields: ISO 9001, Lean thinking, and software development both in general and specifically in the healthcare environment. It also requires sophisticated clinical development partners who can help define requirements and understand potential benefits. CHC brings exactly the partners needed, and together, we intend to build ISO 9001-based systems that support major improvements in the value of healthcare delivered.”

The two firms have been working on a series of products to assist hospitals with ISO certification and compliance, including a technology product that remains in the development phase. CHC expects interest in ISO-related support services to grow as hospital accrediting agencies increasingly demand ISO compliance or certification. The firm plans to integrate its Lean and Six Sigma training and support programs with ISO implementation, offering healthcare organizations a management system with competent performance improvement capabilities.

 About Creative Healthcare

Creative Healthcare (www.creative-healthcare.com) has been providing technologies and training to support healthcare performance improvement since 1998. Today, CHC is a leading provider of project consulting and training deployment in healthcare. Their combined classroom and online Lean and Six Sigma training programs, designed specifically for healthcare providers and suppliers, are available through the American Society for Quality (ASQ) and other channel partners. A recent study of 150 projects across CHC clients revealed an average return on investment of 7:1.