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.