There are several benefits of Lean Six Sigma in healthcare. Issues are solved by a specific project approach, and each separate project tackles a specific issue. Each project uses a DMAIC template, which consists of five steps:

1. Define the problem
2. Measure current data
3. Analyze root causes
4. Improve (solution development)
5. Control (Process plan to sustain)

Learn More About Six Sigma Green Belt.

Cigna Corporation is a health insurance provider that decided to use Six Sigma methodologies to improve their processes and how operations were done. During the analyze phase, they uncovered inaccurate, faulty data, mainly because the data included in the findings didn’t paint the entire picture.

• The data only included that from the original diagnosis of the study, and did not include any subsequent readmissions or other treatments related to the same issue.
• Engagement with high-risk patients was not adequate at all.
• The follow-up plan for discharge and outpatient treatment wasn’t adequate.
• Communications to patients were confusing and unclear.

After improvements were implemented, the results were impressive:

• There was a 53% decrease in readmissions
• A $3,000 savings per patient
• 49% decrease in total in-patient care cost

To establish success using Six Sigma, the following is imperative:

• Continuous Improvement
• Ongoing assessment of projects
• The right leaders for each project

Six Sigma is a methodical system with a goal and without waste. Six Sigma deals with accurate data, so there isn’t any room for error. If all of the healthcare industry used Six Sigma methodologies, we could definitely cure what is ailing our healthcare system.

If you’re a healthcare practitioner and interested in learning Six Sigma for your organization, contact us today!

The post Lean Six Sigma Can Cure Our Sickly Healthcare Industry appeared first on 6sigma.

Adding insult to injury is the fact the that data shows that rising healthcare costs for services are inflated by 30-80%, without any rhyme or reason.

The tool known as the 5 Whys in root cause analysis (RCA) is one of the most important tools that can literally eradicate the underlying cause of specific problems, or better said, identify potential root causes. You can brainstorm and keep asking why on the potential cause and subcause, and keep going until you finally arrive at the root cause.

Variation is a huge culprit in errors being made. Look at all the data and see exactly where in the process the errors are being made. Once you find that, you must make a change in the process so that particular error won’t reoccur. The data will back the change being made to the process.

Root cause analysis is very important in fixing the cause of the problem instead of just dealing with the symptom. Behind every mistake and problem there is waste, and behind waste there is cost.

The benefits of conducting a root cause analysis are:

• Prevents future errors in healthcare, which results in saved lives
• Lower costs
• Increased patient satisfaction
• Increase profit without rising costs

Since healthcare affects us all, mistakes cannot happen especially since one mistake in our personal healthcare can be a matter of life or the lack of…

We’re enrolling for 2018! For more information on our Six Sigma courses or consulting services, please visit 6sigma.com.

The post Depend on Six Sigma in Healthcare for Life appeared first on 6sigma.

Kaizen, like most business improvement methods, is comprised of varying stages. We refer to these stages as the 5S’s. Translating the original terms from Japanese, the 5S’s are ‘Sort’, ‘Straighten’, ‘Shine’, ‘Standardize’, and ‘Sustain’. In this article, we will discuss ‘Shine’, what it is, and to implement it into the workplace.

What Is ‘Shine’?

Shine refers to cleaning and organizing the workplace, daily. Following the first two S’s of ‘Sort’ and ‘Straighten’, Shine is naturally the next step. First, employees separate and removed unnecessary items from the process (Sort). Then, they arrange the required items in a clearly marked fashion, where they are easily found (Straighten). Now, employees will practice ‘Shine’ by cleaning the workplace, equipment, and machines on a daily basis. This helps maintain an orderly work environment, as well as preventing production defects from occurring. For many employees, Shine is where they take the most pride within their careers. At this stage, employees work together to maintain the effort they contributed in the first two process.

Assuring their work environment is clean and orderly improves the production process efficiency, reduces waste, prevents error, and even increases safety. When properly maintaining equipment and machines, it is easier to be proactive in preventing production and manufacturing errors. Additionally, by cleaning the workplace daily, such as sweeping floors, removing trash, and organizing assembly parts, employees’ safety increases. This is primarily due to the decrease in risk factors, such as slipping on a wet floor, or losing control of a malfunctioning part.

Implementing Shine 

Like the previous stages of the Kaizen philosophy, the best way to implement Shine into the workplace is to hire supervisors who inspect the area routinely. However, unlike the previous two stages, Shine is easier to integrate as it focuses on maintaining a clean workspace. For some employers, the most effort into implementing Kaizen falls within Sort and Straighten. This is due to a consistent, disciplined approach to managing organization and analyzing what parts are not needed for production. When practicing Shine, employees maintain the currently organized workspace, clean machines and equipment, and ensure safe working condition.

The post Kaizen 5S for Beginners: Shine appeared first on 6sigma.

Kaizen, when practiced daily, can create a sense of unity with the workplace. With this method, no one employee is overly worked, nor is one superior in their knowledge of the same system. The Japanese methodology shows how employees can perform their tasks using a scientific method, eliminate waste, and improve process efficiency. Through discipline and practice, you can use the five steps of Kaizen to improve performance, reduce waste, and solidify your company’s foundation.

What Is ‘Straighten’?

The second step to improving your business processes through Kaizen is ‘Straighten’. Straighten is the practice of arranging the components that go into your business processes. For example, if working on an automobile assembly line, this step allows you to place each part required for manufacturing to be precisely labeled and placed in its appropriate place. Not only does this create an easier way for personnel to find the parts they need, but also prevents wasting time by searching for misplaced components. As a result, Straighten allows your workflow to be smoother while also increasing the time efficiency. Another byproduct of this step is an increased in company safety. When employees spend less time looking for parts and items for their process, they are able to stay focused on the task at hand. This lack of distraction ensures fewer accidents occur, especially along a high-frequency production and manufacturing process.

Another byproduct of this step is an increased in company safety. When employees spend less time looking for parts and items for their process, they are able to stay focused on the task at hand. This lack of distraction ensures fewer accidents occur, especially along a high-frequency production and manufacturing process.

Implementing Straighten

The key to this step, along with the other 4 S’s of Kaizen, is proper implementation. Since Kaizen follows a strict, disciplined approach, the best way to integrate Straighten into your workplace is by making it a part of your corporate culture. Following a systematic approach, the method can be integrated into almost any business process you have. With the help of project leaders, managers, and supervisors, your company can distill this step into your employees. Like most methodical practices, the more you do it, the easier it becomes! Start small and focus on the quality of your implementation. As your employees accept Straighten, it becomes easier to stay disciplined, checking on systems periodically.

The post Kaizen 5S for Beginners: Straighten appeared first on 6sigma.

Many believe that cutting costs within healthcare means the quality of service will go down. Nothing could be further from the truth. Even on a basic level, Six Sigma would lower costs while improving patient service and overall outcomes. This process is at the core of Six Sigma.

Cigna is the Example

One health insurance company that has been using Six Sigma effectively is Cigna. They have eliminated the restriction of information among fellow departments, and it has brought about a number of benefits.

Cigna has their teams meet and share information of lessons learned. With all teams in the know, rates of customer satisfaction have been significantly increasing.

Imagine having a question about your insurance claim. So you login to your insurance company’s website, and are welcomed with easy to read information that answers your questions.

If you call Cigna with a question, the representatives are knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. By the time you hang up, your question is answered and you feel like they have your back.

Cigna leads its national competitors for the 4^th year in a row, in a majority of preventive and chronic care measures:

• 4,390 more diabetics were treated to acceptable blood glucose levels
• 1,755 more children received immunizations
• 10,933 more members were screened for colorectal cancer
• 3,998 more mothers received timely prenatal or postpartum care

Learn why companies like Cigna have turned to us for their Six Sigma training needs. We have several upcoming Green Belt classes open for enrollment – check our schedule for more info!

The post Six Sigma Keeps the Healthcare Industry Healthy appeared first on 6sigma.

What is Value Stream Mapping?

This visual tool creates two maps (current state and future state) of the complete end-to-end flow of a product or service through the value stream. Comparing and contrasting these two maps helps to understand the course of materials and information, and uncover wasteful actions (or inactions) that reduce efficiency and waste money.

VSM takes into account everything related to the value stream, not just one or two processes. It starts at the beginning and works through to the end, charting a comprehensive path that includes every single direct and indirect influence. It makes waste and problem areas easy to spot by showing gaps between current and future states. It does not provide solutions, but rather provides information to identify and select appropriate Lean Six Sigma projects.

Is VSM different from standard Six Sigma Process Mapping?

Yes. VSM considers a much broader range of information and delves deeper into the details of both direct and indirect components of the value stream. Some practitioners describe VSM as looking at the “forest” of an entire system rather than just a specific “tree” or process within that system.

The following table offers a comparison between the key characteristics of Value Stream Mapping and Six Sigma Process Mapping.

How does VSM help to identify Six Sigma Projects?

VSM is a very effective way to identify Six Sigma projects because it is a comprehensive end-to-end map of the entire value stream. It allows you to see all parts of the system, not just individual processes directly related to creation and delivery of a product or service. VSM uncovers waste and problems that otherwise would remain obscured because they exist in functions or areas that have a support role in the value stream, such as management systems, information systems, administration, etc.

One of the key reasons VSM is so effective is that it illuminates the flow of decision-making in the value stream as well as the actual flow of processes that produce the product or service. Many companies who use VSM find that a great deal of waste lies within the decision-making arena, and without VSM, these problems would likely continue unnoticed.

VSM Step #1 – Pick a Value Stream to Map

The first step is to pick a value stream to map. A manufacturing company might choose a value stream related to making a particular product or category of products, while a service-oriented company might choose a value stream related to a particular product line or family of services.

In either case, the value stream chosen for VSM does not necessarily have to be one which is struggling or has readily apparent problems. For example, Toyota has publicly stated its belief that VSM must be applied to a value stream at least seven separate times to maximize the stream and develop proficiency in VSM application.

VSM Step #2 – Map the Current State of the Value Stream

Once the value stream is selected, the next step is to map the current state of that value stream. This map goes into great detail and includes comprehensive information about all aspects of the value stream, including:

• Direct components and processes
• Support functions and peripheral components
• End-to-end flow of materials
• End-to-end flow of information

VSM Step #3 – Map the future state of the value stream

This step takes a future view, mapping the value stream to show its desired future state. It is a map of how the value stream should flow, including the same aspects of the current state map from the previous step. With both maps in hand (current and future) it is possible to see where gaps exist between what is and what should be so that those gaps can be addressed in the next step.

VSM Step #4 – Close the gap

With gaps and problems identified, potential changes can be considered and put into motion. Most VSM processes uncover far more gaps than it is possible to address all at once, so it is critical to evaluate the information and prioritize actions.

Some gaps are quite easy to fix with a minimum of time, energy and expense. For example, maybe a particular step in the manufacturing process requires a worker to walk 30 feet to pick up materials but those materials could easily be stored in a location that is only 10 feet away. The reduced distance makes the worker more efficient and is an easy fix.

Some gaps are more complex or have less obvious solutions, so they become candidates for a Six Sigma project. Having a list of candidate projects makes it much easier for an organization to allocate existing resources and plan for future requirements.

Learn more information about 6Sigma.com’s Lean Six Sigma training coursework, available as classroom, onsite, or online options.

The post Using Value Stream Mapping To Identify Lean Six Sigma Projects appeared first on 6sigma.

All types of businesses can benefit from Lean Six Sigma principles. The concept was originally developed under the leadership of Bob Galvin at Motorola. Since this time, major companies, such as General Electric, have utilized the principles of Six Sigma to improve their organizations.

Lean 6 Sigma and healthcare has many implications. The healthcare system is one industry that has benefited from the principles. With more efficient business practices, organizations can become more profitable. A closer examination of a case study will illuminate how companies have used Lean Six Sigma principles to improve business practices.

Lean 6 Sigma Case Study of a Not-For-Profit Major Medical Center

This hospital wanted to reduce the setup between surgical cases and changeover in the inpatient surgery department. Staff noticed that patient care could be improved by increasing the overall efficiency. An efficient operating room (O.R.) would improve patient care, O.R. capacity and physician satisfaction.

The Lean 6 Sigma leader conducted an analysis of the current practices within the O.R. The analysis revealed areas of waste. Waste is known as MUDA. MUDA limited the hospital’s ability to be responsive to the patient’s and physician’s needs. Spaghetti diagrams, process maps and observation forms are included in the single minute exchange of dies (SMED) process and can help to improve efficiency through analysis.

To alleviate some of the problems in the O.R., visual indicators or Color Coding was used to clarify the process. The new business practices and the standardization of changeover processes helped to improve processes. Employees were trained and teams were developed to accomplish this goal according to the guidelines.

With training, the O.R. staff reduced the time spent managing the turnover process by 46 percent. The organization also became 60 percent more efficient within the team. Efficiency is the goal of any company attempting to implement lean Six Sigma best practices. Lean 6 Sigma best practices can be used in a variety of settings. From software to healthcare, organizations can benefit from Lean 6 Sigma methodologies. This case study demonstrates how Lean 6 Sigma can be beneficial even in a clinical setting.

Lean 6 Sigma is Beneficial in Healthcare

Lean 6 Sigma best practices can be used in a variety of settings. Lean 6 Sigma was not traditionally used in healthcare, but the principles translate effectively into clinical settings. Healthcare professionals have more job satisfaction because patients are served more proficiently and the payment cycles are shorter. Lean 6 Sigma can be used in an assortment of situations successfully.

Learn more information about 6Sigma.com’s Lean Six Sigma training coursework, available as classroom, onsite, or online options.

The post Lean 6 Sigma and Healthcare: A Case Study appeared first on 6sigma.

These companies sent leaders to Six Sigma training to learn methodology to improve business processes. They trained several leaders to earn their Lean 6 Sigma certification and become Lean Six Sigma black belt certified, Lean 6 Sigma green belt certified and Lean 6 Sigma yellow belt certified. Without certification, leaders cannot possibly implement Lean 6 Sigma processes fully.

Case studies are helpful for learning more about Six Sigma processes and how the best practices are used in an actual environment. Healthcare is a major initiative in the United States. Many executives are interested to learn how Lean 6 Sigma and healthcare put together can be very beneficial and make hospitals more efficient.

Case Studies for Improving Patient Wait Times and Reducing Payroll Costs with Same-day Surgery Staff

The Same-Day Surgery staff needed a way to process patient information for this 230-bed for-profit hospital. The hospital suffered high patient wait times because patients’ medical histories were missing or not filed correctly. Patient information needed better organization, and it needed to be filed in an organized manner. Because of the inefficiencies in this 230-bed hospital, there were numerous delays and cancellations.

Lean 6 Sigma tools were used to create an effective solution. Value-stream mapping was used to identify where the patient information may have originated. This same tool will map the paths taken by documentation through the hospital and how the information was used at each juncture.

After the mapping process was complete, the Lean six sigma team recognized a need for standardization in distribution, reviewing and collecting. There was no standard for pre-admission testing and no central repository for patients’ pre-surgery data. This was a problem for hospital staff trying to serve their patients efficiently.

To correct this problem, standard processes were developed for better information flow. Patient charts were integrated with the existing patient software. The team also established gates or mistake-proofing to improve the processes and reduce patient wait times.

Almost immediately, the hospital experienced a 57 percent reduction in patient wait times. A $75,000 annual savings in payroll costs was also realized. This reduction was possible after reducing the time staff spent searching for information.

The process also eliminated loose sheets of patient information. This improved documentation accuracy and also increased physician satisfaction. The hospital was able to serve an additional eight to 10 patients per day after Six Sigma processes were implemented.

Effective ways for Lean 6 Sigma and Healthcare

Healthcare Lean 6 Sigma can be effective in numerous healthcare settings. Hospitals should consider the best practices and determine how processes can be improved. Until the United States is the best healthcare in the world, there is still room for improvement. Lean 6 Sigma methodologies are useful in numerous industries.

Learn more information about 6Sigma.com’s Lean Six Sigma training coursework, available as classroom, onsite, or online options.

The post How Lean 6 Sigma and Healthcare be Beneficial appeared first on 6sigma.