| Six Sigma methodologies aim at improving | | | | determine the quality and efficiency are |
| overall quality by eliminating defects and | | | | usually the flow of information and |
| achieving near perfection by restricting the | | | | interaction between people. Six Sigma helps |
| number of possible defects to less than 3.4 | | | | in streamlining the flow of information and |
| defects per million. Six Sigma methodologies | | | | achieving strategic business results by |
| were originally developed for implementation | | | | initiating cultural shifts all throughout the |
| in the manufacturing sector but with time | | | | organization. 6-Sigma focuses on improving |
| their use has spread to the services sector | | | | processes rather than just concentrating on |
| as well. In the services sector, Six Sigma | | | | the task, which helps in increasing the scope |
| concepts are used mainly for eliminating | | | | of improvements. It provides the necessary |
| transactional errors. | | | | tools and methodologies that help in |
| | | | analyzing and transforming human performance, |
| Today, the concepts and methodologies of | | | | necessary for achieving significant long-term |
| 6-Sigma are increasingly being used in the | | | | improvements. |
| healthcare industry for improving the quality | | | | |
| of services rendered, increasing efficiency, | | | | Process |
| and eliminating human errors that can often | | | | |
| prove fatal. However, the use of 6-Sigma in | | | | Six Sigma helps in defining a vision for the |
| the healthcare industry is a relatively new | | | | future, identifying specific goals, and |
| phenomenon as compared to other service | | | | establishing quantitative measures for |
| industries that have undergone some type of | | | | turning that vision into reality. It helps in |
| data-supported, systematic, | | | | formulating goal plans and setting timelines |
| quality-improvement process. With medical and | | | | for moving from current performance levels to |
| technological advancements, the demand and | | | | Six Sigma performance levels. The plans are |
| expectations for improved medical care are | | | | defined only after documenting their effects |
| continuously increasing. However, due to lack | | | | on the organization's work processes' that |
| of effective management systems, inefficiency | | | | may include flow of information, surgical |
| is increasing, which often leads to congested | | | | site procedures, handling patients, and |
| emergency rooms, customer complaints, and | | | | others. |
| lost revenues. | | | | |
| | | | The basic requirements for successfully |
| Benefits | | | | implementing Six Sigma programs are usually |
| | | | long-term vision, commitment, leadership, |
| Six Sigma concepts and methods enable a | | | | management, and training. It is important to |
| healthcare organization to offer improved | | | | provide the requisite training to doctors, |
| healthcare services to patients by | | | | nurses, and the administrative staff for |
| streamlining business processes. In the | | | | making them aware about the various concepts |
| healthcare industry, the quality of services | | | | and methodologies. The training may initially |
| rendered depends a lot on human skills, which | | | | appear to be expensive, but is often worth |
| is often very difficult to measure and | | | | the cost when one considers the benefits such |
| control. 6-Sigma is effective as it is based | | | | as improved quality of services and increased |
| on a comprehensive approach that focuses on | | | | efficiency. It is necessary for employees |
| improving both human as well as transactional | | | | working in a healthcare organization to |
| aspects of a process. Although implementing | | | | develop an understanding about the various |
| Six Sigma concepts in the healthcare industry | | | | Six Sigma concepts. This will help them in |
| is a challenging task, it does help in | | | | integrating new techniques into the Six Sigma |
| getting quick results. | | | | processes for improving quality and |
| | | | effectiveness. |
| In the healthcare industry, the factors that | | | | |