Why Six Sigma Will Work In Healthcare Submitted By: Peter Peterka
If ever there were an industry where we want zero defects, it’s healthcare.
Patients, medical professionals, and healthcare administrators all
want mistakes eliminated and quality and efficiency improved. Although
most industries have undergone some type of data-supported, systematic,
quality-improvement process, healthcare still has not. Medical and
technological advances continue to outpace process
education adjustments. Demand and expectations for medical care are
increasing. Inefficiency also leads to(causes, brings about, etc.)
overcrowded emergency rooms, customer complaints, and lost revenues.Six
Sigma allows a healthcare organization to break through the status
quo and achieve real process improvement. Although Six Sigma has its
roots in manufacturing, it works just as effectively in a service
industry such as healthcare. Healthcare organizations face unique
challenges and it's no secret
that they have a harder time applying
quality improvement methods. Six Sigma’s comprehensive approach
means that its methodology can be successful in healthcare organizations
with quick results.In a healthcare organization, the critical factors
in quality and efficiency are flow of information and interaction
between people. Transforming the process of this flow yields quality
results. Six Sigma achieves documented bottom-line strategic business
results by initiating an organization-wide culture shift. Until
a process focus–rather than a task focus–is developed, the scope
and endurance of improvements will be limited. Analyzing and modifying
human performance in these environments is complex,
but Six Sigma provides the tools and methodology required to achieve
significant long-term improvements.The Six Sigma process is a large
step toward creating a learning organization through its well-defined
road maps and management structure. Six Sigma defines a vision for
the future of the healthcare organization, and then it identifies
specific goals and establishes quantitative measures to turn that
vision into reality. A formal plan is established to identify the
overall program goals and timeline that outline the move from current
performance levels to Six Sigma performance levels, with tangible,
short-term goals in between. Specific Six Sigma projects are identified
and goals defined and tied to a tangible organizational performance
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