Lloyd II, D. & Holsenback, J. (2006). The use of Six Sigma in health care operations: Application and opportunity. Academy of Health Care Management Journal 2, p. 41-49.
In this academic article, Lloyd and Holsenback describe Six Sigma as an application that provides framework for healthcare systems to manage quality improvement. Specifically, the article uses Six Sigma to reduce variability in the delivery of clinical services. Previous work is reviewed from a demonstration by a radiology department and then the authors propose Six Sigma as an improvement tool for the medication administration process. In the closing remarks, Lloyd and Holsenback discuss the organizational challenges of financial commitment and personnel allocation for the long- term use and continuous training of Six Sigma. Six Sigma is a management methodology that enables its user to systematically reduce the present occurrence of errors to less than 3.4 per million opportunities. In the radiology department at Commonwealth Health Corporation (CHC), 12 employees attended the 14-day Six Sigma training program and produced spectacular results over an 18-month period including an $800,000 decrease in operating costs. Another application for Six Sigma involves medication errors. Statistical analysis of errors, number of admissions, length of stay, and patient deaths is determined and compared to the national average. Six Sigma changed the culture of decision-making through expertise to that of methodically collected and analyzed data at the CHC. This is a significant, transformational change to the work environment that will continue for years. In regard to its application in medication errors, Six Sigma can identify problems that are causing unnecessary deaths to patients. This quality-improvement research tool will eliminate errors and save lives. Crago, M. G. (2002). Partnering to improve process management. Click (1532-0391), p. 8-14. Crago details the use of International Standards Organization (ISO) 9000 standards as the key to improving health care quality. In the early 2000s, the Institute of Medicine revealed medical errors placed U.S. hospitals between 5th and 9th leading cause of death in America annually. Crago identifies that the health care delivery system is broken and that the people most responsive to change are the ones who will survive. ISO 9000 is an external framework that focuses on the distinctive organizational details of process improvement rather than highway signs and smoke detectors. ISO 9000 can potentially work synergistically with government fiduciary accountability to help the medical industry attain sustainable economic effectiveness …show more content…
& Jones, C. (2010). Benchmarking best practice in mental health care services. Nursing Management 16(10), p. 20-24.
In this article, McDonnell and Jones illustrate the qualitative applications of benchmarking in mental health care services. Titled “Essence of Care,” the benchmarking principle provides the framework for best practice and is considered a valuable tool in developing better patient outcomes. The National Health System (NHS) in the United Kingdom wanted to implement a measureable, evidence-based tool that was adapted for mental health services, easy to use, could include all personnel, and provided qualitative data.
Although this article focuses on mental health, benchmarking can be used in any medical specialty or management function. Qualitative and quantitative data are collected and analyzed electronically to produce the criteria for comparison to Essence of Care best practice statements. Application of benchmarking to pain management, patient visiting rooms and privacy, meal services, and work environment provides substantial evidence for improvement through
In this academic article, Lloyd and Holsenback describe Six Sigma as an application that provides framework for healthcare systems to manage quality improvement. Specifically, the article uses Six Sigma to reduce variability in the delivery of clinical services. Previous work is reviewed from a demonstration by a radiology department and then the authors propose Six Sigma as an improvement tool for the medication administration process. In the closing remarks, Lloyd and Holsenback discuss the organizational challenges of financial commitment and personnel allocation for the long- term use and continuous training of Six Sigma. Six Sigma is a management methodology that enables its user to systematically reduce the present occurrence of errors to less than 3.4 per million opportunities. In the radiology department at Commonwealth Health Corporation (CHC), 12 employees attended the 14-day Six Sigma training program and produced spectacular results over an 18-month period including an $800,000 decrease in operating costs. Another application for Six Sigma involves medication errors. Statistical analysis of errors, number of admissions, length of stay, and patient deaths is determined and compared to the national average. Six Sigma changed the culture of decision-making through expertise to that of methodically collected and analyzed data at the CHC. This is a significant, transformational change to the work environment that will continue for years. In regard to its application in medication errors, Six Sigma can identify problems that are causing unnecessary deaths to patients. This quality-improvement research tool will eliminate errors and save lives. Crago, M. G. (2002). Partnering to improve process management. Click (1532-0391), p. 8-14. Crago details the use of International Standards Organization (ISO) 9000 standards as the key to improving health care quality. In the early 2000s, the Institute of Medicine revealed medical errors placed U.S. hospitals between 5th and 9th leading cause of death in America annually. Crago identifies that the health care delivery system is broken and that the people most responsive to change are the ones who will survive. ISO 9000 is an external framework that focuses on the distinctive organizational details of process improvement rather than highway signs and smoke detectors. ISO 9000 can potentially work synergistically with government fiduciary accountability to help the medical industry attain sustainable economic effectiveness …show more content…
& Jones, C. (2010). Benchmarking best practice in mental health care services. Nursing Management 16(10), p. 20-24.
In this article, McDonnell and Jones illustrate the qualitative applications of benchmarking in mental health care services. Titled “Essence of Care,” the benchmarking principle provides the framework for best practice and is considered a valuable tool in developing better patient outcomes. The National Health System (NHS) in the United Kingdom wanted to implement a measureable, evidence-based tool that was adapted for mental health services, easy to use, could include all personnel, and provided qualitative data.
Although this article focuses on mental health, benchmarking can be used in any medical specialty or management function. Qualitative and quantitative data are collected and analyzed electronically to produce the criteria for comparison to Essence of Care best practice statements. Application of benchmarking to pain management, patient visiting rooms and privacy, meal services, and work environment provides substantial evidence for improvement through