ANN ARBOR — The healthcare data analysis firm Truven Health Analytics says it has acquired Joan Wellman & Associates, a health care consulting firm in Mercer Island, Wash. that does business as JWA Consulting.
JWA focuses on the use of lean manufacturing principles in hospitals and health systems.
In a statement, Truven said the acquisition “will add to Truven Health’s strengths in the lean management arena, bringing additional specialized expertise in advanced lean operating systems, lean leadership coaching and training, and lean facility design.”
It’s the second lean manufacturing acquisition this year for Truven, which in April bought Simpler Consulting, a lean consulting and training firm in Pittsburgh, Pa.
“Our mission at Truven Health Analytics is to improve the cost and quality of healthcare, and today that often entails comprehensive review of delivery structures,” said Mike Boswood, Truven CEO.
Truven said JWA is a pioneer in adaptation of Toyota Production System principles for healthcare, including in pediatric and academic healthcare, helping clients achieve dramatic improvements in operations and clinical quality, cost reduction, healthcare access and employee and patient safety.
“New payment models, regulatory requirements, competition, and consolidation have created unprecedented challenges and opportunities for innovation in healthcare,” said Joan Wellman, JWA CEO. “Together with Simpler, we hope to be the global leader in Lean transformation, creating an extraordinary new force in improving the quality, availability, and experience of healthcare.”
Truven said Wellman and the JWA management team will continue to run the business as part of the Simpler unit of Truven Health Analytics and will report into Marc Hafer, president of Simpler Consulting.
With this acquisition, Truven will offer a comprehensive range of analytics, data management, consulting, and performance improvement services to hospitals and health systems, including lean training.
More at www.truvenhealth.com.