Improving Healthcare Quality and Cost with Six Sigma

Chapter 12. Lean Six Sigma in Healthcare

Sections

The Lean Process

Case Study 1: Combining Lean and Six Sigma to Improve Throughput in the Emergency Department at St. John Health

Case Study 2: Expanding CT Capacity at North Shore University Hospital

Endnotes

Six Sigma in healthcare is becoming a prerequisite for improving quality. Inattention to efficiency in healthcare, however, has led to built-in procedural wastes in the system that must also be addressed. Lean principles have been used successfully in manufacturing, services, and even healthcare facilities successfully. While Six Sigma helps healthcare organizations pay attention to errors and reduce risks associated with patient safety, a combination of Lean with Six Sigma helps organizations ...