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Abstract
Six Sigma and Lean are two powerful performance improvement methodologies that are changing the face of modem healthcare delivery. Lean Six Sigma (LSS) can reduce variability resulting in bottom-line improvement. In this project the workload of Nursing Shift Directors (NSD) has been analyzed. NSD have the overall responsibility for appropriate utilization of nursing personnel and for patient placement, serving as a liaison to facilitate communication and problem solving within the healthcare facility. The purpose of this study is to (a) create a baseline metric of the existing process, (b) collect operational data and analyze ways to improve the work efficiency by eliminating the non-value added tasks from the daily workload, (c) automate some of the tasks performed by NSD and (d) monitor and provide control methodologies for sustainability.
1. Introduction
The cost of medical care is increasing at an alanning and unsustainable rate worldwide. One significant source of increasing healthcare cost can be broadly characterized as unnecessary operational inefficiencies and redundancies which are associated with the direct medical service delivery process. Others are associated with the administrative, logistical, and operational side of the healthcare delivery system. Lean Six Sigma has been applied to many different industries including healthcare, to reduce waste, add value and provide quality with success, but no specific research has been published to improve the working process of the Nursing Shift Directors (NSD). NSD are responsible for staffing, scheduling, resource allocation and administrative support, which is a key to the overall efficiency of the care-giving facility. Different kinds of non-value added tasks and process inefficiencies take up a large amount of time in their daily routine and overload them with additional burdens. Increasing NSD's efficiency is a challenge because the process involves crossing multiple operational levels and departments, which
requires a system approach for improvement. The consequences of not addressing NSD workload is the potential for their inability to accomplish the tasks needed to ensure efficient operations of the hospital, which can lead to delays in providing quality care to the patients. As a result, physicians and patients may choose to go elsewhere for service, resulting in decrease in market share and revenue. Improving efficiency and effectiveness of NSD are not without obstacles. This project identified ways to increase the...