Applying lean six sigma to improve healthcare: An empirical study

By combining Lean thinking and six sigma (SS), lean six sigma (LSS) is a well-known methodology for providing a powerful process improvement solution. Recently, LSS has become one of the best tools for healthcare system because it develops core competence in healthcare that deal with crucial needs in patient care and safety. This study applies LSS to improve the medical process of acute myocardial infarction. The 'define, measure, analyze, improve, and control steps' of SS find critical-to-quality factors and draw the value stream map to seek out non-value-added activities. The cause and effect diagram is also employed to analyze the root causes of waste and generate the improvement project by brainstorming. Eliminating waste raises the process cycle efficiency. Cycle time of the improved door-to-balloon process decreased by 58.4% and even became less than the ACC/AHA standard (90 min). Process cycle efficiency increased from 32.27 to 51.81%, and the average days of hospital stay decreased by 3 days. Such effects helped save NT$ 4.422 million in medical resource. The study results indicate that LSS not only improved medical quality but also strengthened market competitiveness.