Erie Shores HealthCare has partnered with engineering students from the University of Windsor to improve rehabilitation services for patients recovering from acute medical events. The project uses Value Stream Mapping (VSM), a tool adapted from industrial engineering, to visualize and improve workflows, reduce inefficiencies, and optimize resource use within the hospital’s rehabilitation unit. By analyzing patient flow, therapy scheduling, and communication among care providers, the team aims to enhance Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scores, a key marker of patient progress in self-care and mobility. This approach is especially important in Leamington’s aging population, where efficient rehabilitation plays a critical role in transitioning patients back to daily life.

This project aims to improve patient recovery outcomes, reduce therapy wait times, and support better discharge planning. It also provides a model for applying engineering methods to strengthen healthcare delivery.