Six Sigma And Healthcare

Six Sigma methodologies aim at improving overallIn the healthcare industry, the factors that
quality by eliminating defects and achieving neardetermine the quality and efficiency are usually
perfection by restricting the number of possiblethe flow of information and interaction between
defects to less than 3.4 defects per million. Sixpeople. Six Sigma helps in streamlining the flow of
Sigma methodologies were originally developed forinformation and achieving strategic business
implementation in the manufacturing sector butresults by initiating cultural shifts all throughout the
with time their use has spread to the servicesorganization. 6-Sigma focuses on improving
sector as well. In the services sector, Six Sigmaprocesses rather than just concentrating on the
concepts are used mainly for eliminatingtask, which helps in increasing the scope of
transactional errors.improvements. It provides the necessary tools
Today, the concepts and methodologies ofand methodologies that help in analyzing and
6-Sigma are increasingly being used in thetransforming human performance, necessary for
healthcare industry for improving the quality ofachieving significant long-term improvements.
services rendered, increasing efficiency, andProcess
eliminating human errors that can often proveSix Sigma helps in defining a vision for the future,
fatal. However, the use of 6-Sigma in theidentifying specific goals, and establishing
healthcare industry is a relatively newquantitative measures for turning that vision into
phenomenon as compared to other servicereality. It helps in formulating goal plans and setting
industries that have undergone some type oftimelines for moving from current performance
data-supported, systematic, quality-improvementlevels to Six Sigma performance levels. The plans
process. With medical and technologicalare defined only after documenting their effects
advancements, the demand and expectations foron the organization's work processes' that may
improved medical care are continuously increasing.include flow of information, surgical site
However, due to lack of effective managementprocedures, handling patients, and others.
systems, inefficiency is increasing, which oftenThe basic requirements for successfully
leads to congested emergency rooms, customerimplementing Six Sigma programs are usually
complaints, and lost revenues.long-term vision, commitment, leadership,
Benefitsmanagement, and training. It is important to
Six Sigma concepts and methods enable aprovide the requisite training to doctors, nurses,
healthcare organization to offer improvedand the administrative staff for making them
healthcare services to patients by streamliningaware about the various concepts and
business processes. In the healthcare industry, themethodologies. The training may initially appear to
quality of services rendered depends a lot onbe expensive, but is often worth the cost when
human skills, which is often very difficult toone considers the benefits such as improved
measure and control. 6-Sigma is effective as it isquality of services and increased efficiency. It is
based on a comprehensive approach that focusesnecessary for employees working in a healthcare
on improving both human as well as transactionalorganization to develop an understanding about
aspects of a process. Although implementing Sixthe various Six Sigma concepts. This will help
Sigma concepts in the healthcare industry is athem in integrating new techniques into the Six
challenging task, it does help in getting quickSigma processes for improving quality and
results.effectiveness.