After collecting the information needed with regard to the patient and information flow, it is easy
now to draw the value stream map VSM for the current state. A value stream is defined as all the
actions (both value added and none value added) required to bring a specific product, service or a
combination of products and services, to a customer. The VSM of the ED is created by using a
predefined set of icons (shown in figure 2). These icons include the process icon, the data box, the
outside source, finished goods to customers icon, and information flow icon.