The case study illustrates how a health organization in Texas utilized Six Sigma to discover and improve its N95 face mask reprocessing project. Lean Six Sigma is a systematic collective process that strives to boost production by reducing mistakes and waste. It associates the Six Sigma technique and methods with lean manufacturing philosophy to minimize waste of assets, effort, time, and skill and retain quality in its processes and production. Any use of assets that would not deliver value to the client is regarded as wastage and must be reduced according to Lean Six Sigma principles. The “lean” management concept prioritizes removing and reducing eight categories of wastage referred to as “DOWNTIME.”
“Lean” is known as any technique, measure, or device that assists in discovering and eradicating wastes. Six Sigma is a term used to describe techniques and tools to improve industrial operations. It was created in 1986 by a Motorola engineer who was influenced by the Kaizen philosophy of Japan. Its goal is to enhance procedures by removing and identifying the sources of flaws and variances in business and industrial processes. The DMAIC stages of Six Sigma are used in Lean Six Sigma. The abbreviation refers to data-driven strategies for enhancing, optimizing, and maintaining business and industrial processes.
Six Sigma is widely utilized in various industrial areas, but there are no discernible uses in health operations. This study examines the unique scenario of health logistical issues, wherein reduction in cost is not the only element evaluated in project selection. This study proposes a methodology for implementing Six Sigma in healthcare logistics. It also includes a case study of how the suggested framework was implemented in a Jordanian hospital.
Lean Six Sigma techniques are utilized in various sectors to increase process efficiency by reducing waste and mistakes (Cudney et al., 2020). When applied correctly, these tactics may result in happier customers and more money. Issues in the health sector also affect profitability and client satisfaction. However, it may ultimately imply life or death. Lean Six Sigma techniques are important in healthcare because they may reduce flaws that contribute to medical errors. Medical mistakes kill more than 210,000 individuals in the United States each year and cost the healthcare business an estimated $17.1 billion. Many government agencies have tried to address this issue nationally by enacting legislation and enforcing rules. Nevertheless, medical providers, clinic executives, facility executives, or professionals use. Lean Six Sigma concepts will help them make a huge difference in their businesses (Henrique & Godinho Filho, 2020).
Six Sigma methodology may be used to improve healthcare quality. Reduce the number of times patients are needed to wait at institutions and healthcare services. Accidents, as well as fractures, must be minimized in assisted living facilities. Medical errors must be eliminated when diagnosing, administering, or completing medications. Extend the time required for test results to be returned. Six Sigma could also assist you in cutting costs. These kinds of results are reachable by medical practitioners who use tried-and-true Lean or Six Sigma methods. Streamlining the check-in process is only the start. There have been several excellent Lean Six Sigma implementations in hospitals, making medical studies more cost-effective to minimize consultation cancellations.
References
Cudney, E. A., Venuthurumilli, S. S. J., Materla, T., & Antony, J. (2020). A systematic review of Lean and Six Sigma approaches in higher education. Total Quality Management & Business Excellence, 31(3-4), 231-244.
Henrique, D. B., & Godinho Filho, M. (2020). A systematic literature review of empirical research in Lean and Six Sigma in healthcare. Total Quality Management & Business Excellence, 31(3-4), 429-449.