Advance in Healthcare with Lean Six Sigma

Lean Six Sigma principles are used in a range of industries to improve process efficiency by eliminating waste and reducing defects. When applied correctly, these methodologies can lead to happier customers and increased revenue. In the healthcare industry, defects not only affect revenue and patient satisfaction—they can mean the difference between life and death.

What Is Lean Six Sigma in Healthcare?

Lean Six Sigma methodologies are critically important in healthcare because they can reduce defects that can result in medical errors. Medical errors in the United States contribute to the deaths of more than 210,000 people annually and cost the healthcare industry an estimated $17.1 billion each year.

Many federal agencies have attempted to address this problem on a national scale by passing legislation and imposing regulations. However, healthcare professionals—whether practice managers, hospital administrators, or practitioners—can make a difference in their own organizations by employing Lean Six Sigma principles.

How Does Six Sigma Provide Quality Improvement in Healthcare?

Outcomes of using Six Sigma to improve the quality of healthcare include:

• Shorten wait times in hospitals and private practices
• Prevent falls and injuries in hospitals and nursing homes
• Reduce medication errors when prescribing and administering drugs or filling prescriptions
• Increase turnaround time for lab results
• Reduce overall organizational costs

Six Sigma can also reduce unnecessary expenses. These kinds of results are achievable from healthcare professionals by committing to proven Lean or Six Sigma methodologies. The DMAIC method (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control), for instance, focuses on improving existing processes. One of the most common processes in a hospital setting and other medical centers is the check-in. Here is a summary of how DMAIC could streamline this procedure:

Define

• Define the problems with the process and set goals, e.g., shorter wait times.
• Develop a process map that details each step, e.g., updating records, reviewing insurance information, collecting co-pays.

Measure

• Measure how the current check-in process is performing and gather data for each step.
• Identify bottlenecks—where is the process slowing down?

Analyze

• Analyze the data collected from each step, looking for elements that can be eliminated or streamlined.
• Identify the root causes of bottlenecks.

Improve

• Develop and test solutions to improve check-ins. In non-emergencies, can insurance information be obtained before the patient arrives? Can coordination between doctors and nurses be improved?

Control

• Ensure the new check-in procedure stays on course by frequently monitoring and documenting each improvement.
• Create a control chart to determine the effectiveness of the new process over time.

Streamlining the check-in process is only the beginning. From making clinical research more cost-effective to lowering patient waiting times, there are dozens of successful examples of Lean Six Sigma in healthcare. For this reason, healthcare professionals with Lean Six Sigma certifications are in demand. Employees in quality management, consulting, patient experience, clinical operations, performance improvement, and similar roles can advance into leadership positions in healthcare management with Lean Six Sigma training.

What Job Titles Often Require LSS Certifications?

Job titles that commonly require LSS certifications include:

• Chief Patient Experience Officer
• Senior Director, Patient Experience
• Senior Manager, Operational Excellence
• Vice President, Quality
• Director, Quality
• Director of Quality Management
• Associate Vice President, Strategic Process Improvement
• Quality Improvement Consultant
• Process Consultant
• Clinical Transformation Consultant

Related: Find out how Six Sigma Belt Rankings align with an organization’s needs.

How To Earn a Certification in Lean Six Sigma Healthcare

Healthcare professionals can advance their careers and gain a competitive advantage by completing a high-quality Lean Six Sigma certification program that provides real-world skills and training. Many leadership roles in the healthcare industry require a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification or Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification. Green Belt holders are well-versed in LSS methodologies and can oversee some projects, or assist Six Sigma Black Belt holders, who are qualified to manage high-level projects.

About Purdue’s Online Lean Six Sigma (LSS) Certificate Program

Purdue University offers comprehensive online Lean Six Sigma (LSS) certificate programs designed for working professionals with varying levels of Lean Six Sigma experience. The online Lean Six Sigma certificate courses prepare professionals to satisfy the immense demand for Lean expertise, skills and certification.

Purdue offers the following courses 100% online:

• Six Sigma Green Belt
• Lean Principles
• Six Sigma Black Belt
• Six Sigma Green Belt Refresher