In ever business whether manufacturing or service related, there is opportunity to improve the process without compromising the quality. This is also true in the typical Transfusion Service. Speed, turn around time, cycle times, standardization, elimination of waste cost reduction and reduction of variances are of importance in the Transfusion Service. While Six Sigma focuses on a narrow window within a process flow with the tool application to attack variation, Lean is about eliminating waste and establishing standard work. Once Lean is done, it is much easier to identify variation, without employing Lean first, it is extremely difficult to seek out and eliminate sources of variation with Six Sigma. In this audioconference, the participant will learn the basic principles and tools of Lean thinking and how to apply various tools to identify improvement. Case studies will be shared to demonstrate improvements that can be achieved with Lean in Transfusion Services.