Roger Noble

The best approach I have seen in theory, haven’t seen anyone fully implement it due to the system design requirements… is a queuing model that alerts all departments on which of their scheduled patients for the day have arrived and indicates which department they are currently in.
Print outs are the current method, yes. But it is a snapshot in…[Read more]

This is where I have to say “welcome to the world of healthcare!”. No, unfortunately there are not readily available PROCESS benchmarks out there, yet. The focus on recent years has been on the development of the clinical benchmarks which still aren’t utilized to their fullest ability yet.
I’d hate to say this, but the best model I have been…[Read more]

There are few standards out there reflecting accurate/validated industry benchmarks, but some groups are working to change that. AHRQ is a government agency focused on gathering this type of information and making it available for the industry to start benchmarking against top performers and industry means (I believe CMS, Blue Cross, and Kaiser…[Read more]

Generally, no there isn’t much difference in the training or skills. However, there should be. Industrial based six sigma is heavily data driven with fixed amounts of factors to consider. Healthcare, like many other service based industries, is compounded by infinite variables at play mostly on behavioral level of staff and client/patient levels.…[Read more]

Dan, send me a message to my email at [email protected] and I will be happy to respond with the abstract.

Amel, send me a message via email so that I can respond with the abstract. [email protected]

Susan,
We completed a project on Infection Control/Hand Washing Compliance Measurement as well as Kaizen Events to Poka Yoke as much of the procedures as possible. If you shoot me your email, I can send you the Abstract documenting it. Our Infection Control/Hand Washing Compliance efforts were recognized by the Joint Commission in a recent…[Read more]

I agree on the basic level with Darth’s comments. However, an MBB doesn’t need to be the top of the food chain for Six Sigma statistical application. MBB’s guide the deployement and program in general, ensuring alignment to corporate strategic initiatives and that resources are allocated efficiently for improvement and training efforts. T…[Read more]

A general guide by the Joint Commission you could apply is 1 in 100 though this is applicable to the manual process so I would hope an automated process would perform at a higher level!

John,
Healthcare is still relatively new to the Six Sigma approach. For the most part, you won’t find full-time Black Belt positions in healthcare since insurance payors are yet to recognize the role as contributing to clinical care nor as part of general overhead allowances. However, Black Belts can be seen dual-functioning in many capacities.…[Read more]

I have a Lean certification through a prior employer (GE) from back in the old days. BUT, in addition to the other sources already listed by the rest of the gang, Lean Productivity Inc offers certifications as well. Just make sure whatever program you choose has a strong focus on hands-on workshops to make sure you understand how to apply the…[Read more]

We are working on similar outpatient and inpatient flow items. One of teh significant CTQ obstacles we validated as an issue were delays caused by physicans (regardless of specialty).
At the same time we have launched a comprehensive Physician Evaluation program. One way we have found to address delays caused by physicians is to incorporate that…[Read more]

We are working on a large scope initiative that includes this item. Upon investigation, we found that Mondays and Fridays had a no-show rate of 22% while Tuesday through Thursday had a much lower rate of 9%.
The only thing that made an impact was no scheduling beyond 30 days for patients. Instead, patients were given a card that told them to…[Read more]

In 2007 we launched our own Lean Six Sigma program within a division covering 22 of hour hospitals. If Lean Six Sigma is being used to work on projects that were already in the funnel to be worked regardless of the addition of Lean Six Sigma, then budgetting for it can be simple.
If you train only those people working on projects while going th…[Read more]

Before we fully developed our own internal Lean Six Sigma (LSS)  program and I was hired as the Master Black Belt, the expert consultant fees ranged from 2K-3.5K per day. I will second the comments referring to LSS consultants typically charging by the day, not the hour. It’s their attention and focus you want along with their expertise, not…[Read more]

I have to agree with Sue’s comments. I’m a former manufacurting guy from GE and have crossed over into Healthcare. Opportunities for such a transition are rare. There is great resistance in healthcare to respond to guidance/analysis/advice from outsiders. It is getting better however. I was a strange example because my background was in healthcare…[Read more]

It doesn’t look like you’ve had any responses so I thought I’d offer some input. there are a couple decent books out there regarding Lean Six Sigma in Healthcare, but to be quite frank, they focus on case examples of projects that were done at hospitals. My experience has found that healthcare is slow to engage in the LSS methodologies as a…[Read more]

Sharon,
strong information and great analysis. If it didn’t help Jill, I at least found it useful in similar studies I am working on.
-Rodge, Shriners Hospitals

I know that University of Florida and the University of South Florida have both added Six Sigma certification programs to their offerings if you want to check them out. State Universities are jumping the band wagon pretty quickly, private schools will be slower to add something this specialized. I would normally recommend ASQ if you don’t have an…[Read more]

I am doing a similar project for our 22 hospitals and their Outpatient Clinics. My approach differs slightly from each of the approaches recommended so far. I’m forming this project as an MBB DMAIC study. Why? it’s not going to find a solution necessarily. Instead, it’s going to identify all the potential factors downstream that will increase a…[Read more]