Healthcare is an ever-evolving industry that is achieving significant results with quality initiatives. Leaders are learning from other industries the value of Lean Six Sigma programs in their operations. There has never been more pressure for healthcare providers to perform. With healthcare costs rising everyday, being able to provide the highest quality service to patients that are costs effective has become their greatest challenge. Patients are now making decisions on the delivery of their healthcare, based upon published performance criteria. Gone are the days where a patient uses a physician of hospital that is closest to their home. They can now see healthcare performance data, which is published regularly on platforms across the internet. The other challenge they face is the government is now tying reimbursement to these quality scores. The higher the score, the higher percentage of reimbursement the facility receives. The livelihood of the industry is on the line and directly connected to quality measurements.

Quality Awards Recognize Excellence

Recently, Memorial Medical Center in Illinois received the American Hospital Associations McKesson Quest for Quality Prize, for the first time in their lauded history. Quality Awards are presented to organizations at the American Hospital Association’s national event. The award is presented to one hospital nationwide each year based on an AHA committee’s evaluation of achievements in quality, safety and patient-centered care. The award specifically recognized Memorial Medical for their Lean Six Sigma program. Their program has saved the organization $30 million in costs and reduced harm to patients since 2012. Success leaves clues!

This award is significant to the Memorial Medical organization and the communities they serve. It clearly demonstrates the results that can be achieved by a commitment to the practice of Lean Six Sigma in healthcare. Congratulations to everyone involved with this incredible success.

To read more about this award, click here.

You can also read more about Lean in Healthcare with our previous post “Time and Motion Study: How Do Nurses Spend Their Time“