About this Presentation
In healthcare, we often focus on treating symptoms rather than addressing the root cause of preventable crises. One such crisis is medication-induced suicidal thoughts, a known risk of many commonly prescribed medications for anxiety, depression, and other conditions. Yet, these risks are often not proactively discussed with patients. Using the Theory of Constraints (TOC), we identified a critical bottleneck in the prescribing process: the absence of structured, open conversations about medication side effects and safety planning. The Prescription Safe Plan (PSP) was developed as a systematic solution to this constraint; removing ambiguity, supporting clear patient-prescriber communication, and ensuring that individuals have a proactive plan in place should they experience a chemically induced suicidal crisis. Developed by Debi Roberts at The OLLIE Foundation and now available in 16 languages, PSPs are helping healthcare providers shift from reactive crisis response to proactive prevention. By integrating TOC principles, this approach ensures that resources—knowledge, awareness, and protective strategies flow more effectively to where they are needed most. This session will explore how TOC thinking led to the creation of PSPs and how similar methodologies can be applied to remove barriers, enhance patient safety, and improve outcomes in healthcare systems worldwide. 💡 Prevention starts with conversation. Let’s ensure every prescription comes with one.
What Will You Learn
To help you get the most value from this session, we’ve highlighted a few key points. These takeaways capture the main ideas and practical insights from the presentation, making it easier for you to review, reflect, and apply what you’ve learned.
Instructor(s)
Debi Roberts MA Ed
Ms Alka Wadhwa
Alka Wadhwa is an experienced consultant and process improvement expert with over 24 years of expertise in the Theory of Constraints (TOC), Lean Six Sigma, and organizational performance optimization. She has successfully led projects in healthcare, financial services, and manufacturing, driving significant improvements such as a 67% boost in hospital operations and a 140% increase in outpatient visits.
Previously, Alka Wadhwa spent 17+ years at GE Global Research Center, where she led initiatives to enhance various GE businesses through advanced technologies, process redesign, and system optimization. Founder of Better Solutions Consulting, LLC, she specializes in using TOC, Six Sigma, and data analytics to streamline operations and build high-performance teams.
Her work has earned her multiple accolades, including the Empire State Award of Excellence in healthcare.
Dr Gary Wadhwa
Dr. Gary Wadhwa is a Board Certified Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon with extensive experience in the field. He completed his Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery training at Montefiore Hospital, Albert Einstein College of Medicine in Bronx, NY, and has served as an Attending at prestigious institutions like St. Peters Hospitals, Ellis Hospital, and Beth Israel Hospital in NY. With a career spanning over two decades, he was the former CEO and President of a group specialty practice in NY from 1994 to 2015. Dr. Wadhwa holds an MBA from UT at Knoxville, TN, and has undergone additional training in System Dynamics at MIT, Health System Management at Harvard Business School, and Entrepreneurship and healthcare innovations at Columbia Business School. Committed to expanding access to Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery care, he is currently engaged in a meaningful project to provide healthcare services to underserved populations in inner city and rural areas through non-profit Community Health Centers.