Lean Six Sigma in Health Operations

Abstract

The hospitals over the last few years have been facing major issues and challenges; the patients aspire world-class health care quality delivery while state and health insurance companies demand the delivery at the lowest price. Lean which eliminates the waste and Six Sigma which decreases the variation in hospital processes are complementary quality improvement tools that can help to achieve these goals. The lean principles have been now successfully applied to the delivery of health care over the last few years. Lean management primary begins with underlying principle of eliminating waste. In order for lean methodology to be successful and able to enhance the operations the hospital must first work to create an organizational culture that is receptive to lean thinking. The commitment to start lean must start from the top management, and the junior staff must be involved. Whether manufacturing a car or delivering health care to a patient, the industry worker or health personal relies on multiple, disorganized, chaotic and complex in-built system and processes to accomplish the goal to deliver value to the customer or patient. It is a widely held dictum that once the lean principles are applied rigorously and throughout an entire organization, it can have a positive impact on productivity, cost, quality and timely delivery in a resource limited settings of Indian subcontinent. In hospital industry, the operational efficiency means rapid access to care, minimum waiting time while at the same time delivering defect free quality care at the minimum cost. We believe the Lean Six Sigma (LSS) is a panacea management philosophy to overcome the burgeoning health and hospital industry challenges.

Impact of lean six sigma at pharmacy unit on hospital profitability before and during Covid-19 pandemic

“…5.1 Inverted U-Curveon the effect of lean six sigma on profits with pandemic moderation After LSS implementation, the profits generally went up (the deficit decreased) but after faced with the pandemic, the profits decreased sharply and eventually came to a worse position than the implementation of pre-LSS. This showed an inverted U-curve in the relationship between the LSS period and profits in the presence of The relationship between the implementation of LSS and hospital profitability has been shown by some previous studies (Al-Zain et al, 2018;Trakulsunti et al, 2020;Yaduvanshi and Sharma, 2017). Even so, the Covid-19 incident in general reduces the profits both at the ordinary hospitals and those implementing LSS (Cohen and Rodgers, 2020;Khullar et al, 2020).…”

Lean Six Sigma Methodology: The Nub to Boost the Public Healthcare System in Egypt

“…Numerous sessions and media campaigns in Egypt should be arranged and achieved to inform the community about lean six sigma methodology main role in the fulfillment of enhancement objectives and its positive impact on the performance of service enterprises as healthcare institutions (Yaduvanshi et al, 2017). Consequently, any potential resistance for lean six sigma framework adoption can be avoided, and likewise to render organizations in the society mindful about relevant lean six sigma recent techniques.…”

“…Lean and Six Sigma are possibly the most thorough methodologies obtainable to fight decreasing limits in intensive care sets hospitals. To fund performance, Medicare revamps to face the risk of a lone pay or environment necessitated resources to remove waste at all levels to hinder financial loss (Yaduvanshi et al, 2017). The literature analysis apparently shows why the two methodologies are too persuasive in their relevant intensive care appliances.…”

“…Gathering instances by precise part of enhancement appeared suitable in founding deepness and broadness, along with encouraging program analogy from one instance to the next instance. Moreover, the LSS literatures main topics involve: patient release and length of stay (LOS); emergency department (ED); operating room Flow and scheduling; hospital laboratory; diagnostic imaging (radiology); revenue cycle; and supply chain management (Yaduvanshi et al, 2017).…”

“…Top management commitment: It is obvious that management commitment to a Lean Six Sigma enhancement policy must surpass mottos, posters, or stimulus sermons. The leadership team should emanate an endurance of purpose, accompanied by strictness and tolerance that ease the foundation of such program (Yaduvanshi et al, 2017). The management team had to be liable and accountable for jointly handling the organization and enhancing its efficacy (Mehdi, 2005).Then, Leaders must be committed to lean six sigma framework by appointing lucid vision, goals and policies for adequate lean six sigma process.…”