USE OF LEAN SIX SIGMA METHOD TO IMPROVE PROCESS OF ELECTROLYTE REPLACEMENT PROTOCOL IN ICU

Abstract

TYPE: Abstract Publication TOPIC: Education, Research, and Quality Improvement PURPOSE: Electrolyte imbalance is a common and potentially life threatening phenomenon in critically ill patients. Our data analysis found failure to implement the ICU protocol leads to inadequacy, inconsistency and delay in correcting electrolytes in critically ill patients that can cause life threaterning complications. METHODS: The team utilized a Lean Six Sigma approach to identify the root causes of delays in treatment. This project specifically utilized: affinity diagram, regression analysis and Failure Mode Effects Analysis. Team composition included the Chief Nursing Officer, ICU physicians, nursing director, nurse manager, ICU nurses and a pharmacist. Initial cycle of improvement focused on nurse education and awareness of the impact of a lack of adherence to the protocol. Lab initiated a secondary cycle focused around rapid provision of the lab results to assist in this process. Quality improvement impacts virtually every level of healthcare, from supply chain management to patient safety. RESULTS: Process changes demonstrated a 44% improvement in potassium replacement and 71% improvement in magnesium replacement in the ICU. Significant improvement was demonstrated in the time from lab available to start of electrolyte replacement. CONCLUSIONS: Lean Six Sigma methodology can be used successfully to reduce variation in ICU protocol like electrolytes replacement. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Process variation improvement 71% for Magnesium and 44% for potassium replacement protocol leads to reduction in morbidilty and mortality from arrythmia in ICU. DISCLOSURE: No significant relationships. KEYWORDS: Lean six sigma, process improvement, ICU protocol