Six Sigma: Another Sample of How it Works

Since I was still having problem understanding Six Sigma, I was thinking that I needed more example. Which brought me this. 

Problem statement:

A hospital is experiencing a high rate of patient falls, resulting in patient injuries, increased costs, and decreased patient satisfaction. The hospital decides to implement Six Sigma to improve patient safety and reduce falls.

DMAIC process:

The hospital implements the DMAIC process to address the issue of patient falls.

1. Define:
   The team defines the problem, project goals, and customer requirements. They identify key stakeholders and establish a project charter. For example, the team may define the problem as "a high rate of patient falls that is resulting in patient injuries, increased costs, and decreased patient satisfaction" and establish a goal of reducing patient falls by 50% within six months.
2. Measure:
   The team collects and analyzes data on patient falls, including location, time, and patient demographics. They also conduct a survey of patients and staff to gather information on patient safety culture and identify potential causes of falls. For example, the team may find that the majority of falls occur in the bathroom and that older patients are at a higher risk.
3. Analyze:
   The team conducts a root cause analysis using a fishbone diagram to identify the underlying causes of patient falls. They discover that the primary causes are related to patient factors, staff factors, and environmental factors. For example, the team may find that patients who are on certain medications are at a higher risk of falling, staff who are overworked or undertrained may miss signs of patient risk, and environmental factors such as wet floors or inadequate lighting contribute to falls.
4. Improve:
   The team develops and implements solutions to address the root causes of patient falls. They work to standardize patient assessments, provide additional training for staff, and make environmental modifications. For example, the team may implement a standardized fall risk assessment tool, provide training for staff on identifying and responding to patient risk factors, and install grab bars and non-slip flooring in bathrooms.
5. Control:
   The team establishes control measures to sustain the improvements and prevent patient falls from recurring. They implement ongoing monitoring and measurement systems to ensure that patient safety remains a top priority and that any issues are quickly identified and addressed. For example, the team may implement regular audits of patient fall prevention measures and conduct surveys of patients and staff to monitor patient safety culture.

Results:

After implementing Six Sigma, the hospital is able to reduce patient falls by 60%, resulting in a significant reduction in patient injuries and an increase in patient satisfaction. The hospital is also able to reduce costs associated with patient falls and improve efficiency in patient care. For example, the hospital may save on costs associated with extended hospital stays or legal fees related to patient injuries. The Six Sigma project leads to improved patient safety and financial performance for the hospital.