The entry last week on Standards, Abnormality and the Ideal seems to have struck a chord with folks. I've been thinking further about the idea of negative accidents or negative safety incidents and it is quite sound in theory and practice. Beyond a zero accident workplace, a healing workplace is achievable.

I realize we're not making any friends with Big Pharma by doing this, but here are seven ideas towards achieving a healing workplace:

Work out while you work. Design the standard work sequence to include moderate aerobic or strength-building motions. Whether in a hospital, factory or office setting, this is really not that hard.

Cause smiles. I've heard this improves your health.

Pipe in bright sunshine for 10 to 15 minutes per day. An April 28, 2007 article in the Globe and Mail suggests that vitamin D (taken from sun exposure) plays a greater role in our good health than previously thought.

Encourage naps. Provide a place for people to take a 10 to 20 minute nap during the workday.

Allow pets in the workplace. Studies have shown that owning a pet can reduce stress levels and blood pressure, as well as boost the immune system.

Replace coffee with strong green tea. Replace foods that make you sick with foods that make you well. Fruit instead of donuts.

Make people laugh. It is the best medicine, and there are only good side effects.

Just like 5S should be done not at the end of the shift but as a natural course of your daily work, just as quality should be built in and checked at every process rather than inspected in at the end, Lean healthcare should not be provided in hospitals but should come as a byproduct of a healing workplace.