Douglas Flora: Applying the Andon Cord concept to healthcare empowerment

Douglas Flora shared the following on LinkedIn:

“The Andon Cord, from the Japanese word for “lantern” or “light,” was a game-changing tool introduced by Toyota in the 1950s. It gave workers the power to stop production if they noticed a problem. Rooted in the Jidoka principle, developed by Sakichi Toyoda in 1896, this system ensured that defects were caught immediately and that production was halted before issues could snowball. The first use was on automated looms that stopped the moment a thread broke, preventing defects from multiplying. By placing control in the hands of frontline workers, Toyota revolutionized quality control and continuous improvement.

Now, imagine that the same level of empowerment is applied in healthcare, particularly in oncology. Picture a pharmacist reviewing a patient’s medication regimen and discovering a potentially harmful drug-drug interaction. Timely intervention could mean the difference between life and serious complications at this critical moment. In a Just Culture, pharmacists feel empowered to “pull the cord”—immediately raise the issue with the care team, halt the treatment, and prevent harm—all without fear of blame or retribution.

Hospitals that embrace this Just Culture mindset foster environments where vigilance and improvement become daily practices. Leaders who promote this approach transform safety from a top-down directive into a shared responsibility.

Every team member—without exception—is empowered to contribute to safer, higher-quality care by identifying and addressing risks early and directly.

How are you empowering your team to speak up when it matters most?”

Source: Douglas Flora/LinkedIn