| It is not that Six Sigma cannot improve clinical results; it | | | | Project For Reducing Bloodstream Infections (Bsis) |
| is just that Six Sigma in the healthcare sector is a | | | | This 6 Sigma project is almost in its final stages and |
| relatively new phenomenon and as such, not much has | | | | the positive results achieved so far, vouch for the |
| been written or documented on the subject. | | | | applicability and effectiveness of 6 Sigma in the |
| Additionally, since healthcare centers normally avoid | | | | healthcare sector. The main objective of this project |
| sharing their internal processes, it becomes quite | | | | was to make improvements in the existing healthcare |
| difficult for outsiders to assess exactly how well Six | | | | delivery systems so as to meet the prescribed BSIs |
| Sigma is faring in the healthcare sector. However, | | | | standards. |
| since almost all the information that is available in public | | | | The project was executed with the support of the |
| domain is positive, it can be said with certainty that it | | | | healthcare staff, responsible for developing many |
| does help in improving clinical results. | | | | innovative solutions such as the "Infection Containment |
| For better understanding, let us discuss some of the | | | | Kit", development of standard operating procedures, |
| ongoing healthcare projects involving Six Sigma. | | | | and creation of control charts for improved infection |
| Project For Reducing Chemotherapy Medication | | | | monitoring. These solutions were quite useful because |
| Errors | | | | they enabled the healthcare center to achieve the |
| This Six Sigma project is currently underway at a | | | | desired results such as significant reductions in BSIs, |
| prominent healthcare center in New Jersey. The main | | | | increase in ICU capacity, and savings of over $400,000 |
| objectives of the project include reduction of errors in | | | | per year. |
| chemotherapy administration, improvement in | | | | All these benefits prove the point that Six Sigma is |
| documentation, reduction of waste, improvement in | | | | quite effective when it comes to making process |
| patient satisfaction and improvement in the turnover of | | | | improvements in the healthcare sector. |
| patients receiving chemotherapy treatment. | | | | Six Sigma in the healthcare center may still be in its |
| The project is currently 6 Sigma DMAIC process | | | | infancy, but considering the positive results that are |
| (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control). The | | | | being reported by healthcare centers and the optimism |
| project may still be far from completion, but positive | | | | displayed by healthcare professionals, it can be said |
| results have already started to pour in, evident from | | | | that in the years to come, 6 Sigma will no longer be in |
| the improvements made in patient satisfaction and | | | | the trial mode and will instead become a necessity in |
| patient turnover. | | | | the healthcare industry. |
| Progress on the error reduction front is relatively slow, | | | | That is good news for all the stakeholders, especially |
| but the healthcare professionals involved are optimistic | | | | patients' for whom even a small clinical error can have |
| about the developments and are quite certain to | | | | fatal consequences. |
| achieve significant results in a month or two. | | | | |