Six Sigma in healthcare: lessons learned from a hospital

Authors: Heuvel, Jaap Van Den¹; Does, Ronald J.M.M.²; Verver, John P.S.³

Source: International Journal of Six Sigma and Competitive Advantage, Volume 1, Number 4, 24 December 2005 , pp. 380-388(9)

Publisher: Inderscience Publishers

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Abstract:

Six Sigma is a quality improvement approach aimed at optimising processes while reducing defects and costs. It has been developed and is widely used in industry and recently has been introduced, on a limited scale, in healthcare. In this article, we discuss the results of the implementation of Six Sigma at the Red Cross Hospital in Beverwijk, the Netherlands. From the initial start in 2002, up to now, 44 projects have been initiated and 21 projects are closed. Projects are initiated in various departments and disciplines. Co-workers on almost all levels within the organisation are being trained and have been provided with tools to perform projects that improve quality and reduce costs of healthcare delivery. The results show that the completed projects produced €1.2 million in annual savings. The expected total net annual savings of all running projects are €3 million.

Keywords: TECHNICAL JOURNALS; Design and Product Development; MANAGEMENT JOURNALS; Operational Management, Marketing and Services

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1504/IJSSCA.2005.008504

Affiliations: 1: Canisius Wilhelmina Hospital, P.O. Box 9015, 6500 GS Nijmegen, The Netherlands. 2: Institute for Business and Industrial Statistics, University of Amsterdam, Plantage Muidergracht 24, 1018 TV Amsterdam, The Netherlands. 3: Red Cross Hospital, Vondellaan 13, 1942 LE Beverwijk, The Netherlands

Publication date: 2005-12-24

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