Lean Six Sigma methodology to improve the discharge process in a Brazilian intensive care unit
Open Access
- 1 January 2023
- journal article
- research article
- Published by FapUNIFESP (SciELO) in Revista Brasileira de Enfermagem
- Vol. 76 (3) , e20220538
Abstract
Objectives: to describe the Lean Six Sigma implementation process to improve the discharge process in a Brazilian health institution’s ICU. Methods: prospective study following the Define-Measure-Analyse-Improve-Control project development method. This method consists of five phases, namely: project definition, measurement of the starting point and data collection, analysis of results, improvement in processes, and statistical control. Results: applying Lean Six Sigma methodology following the Define-Measure-Analyse-Improve-Control in the discharge process from the intensive care unit to the inpatient unit was effective in improving processes. This improvement represented a reduction in the mean patient transfer time to the inpatient unit from 189 minutes to 75 minutes, representing a 61% improvement in discharge time. Conclusions: this article demonstrates the effectiveness of applying Lean Six Sigma methodology to improve the discharge flow in a critical unit, resulting in time and waste reduction.Keywords
This publication has 21 references indexed in Scilit:
- Applying Lean Six Sigma methods to reduce length of stay in a hospital's emergency departmentQuality Engineering, 2018
- Lean Six Sigma to Reduce Intensive Care Unit Length of Stay and Costs in Prolonged Mechanical VentilationJournal for Healthcare Quality, 2018
- Medical Harm: Patient Perceptions and Follow-up ActionsJournal of Patient Safety, 2017
- Impact and experiences of delayed discharge: A mixed‐studies systematic reviewHealth Expectations, 2017
- Improving Patient Safety in Handover From Intensive Care Unit to General Ward: A Systematic ReviewJournal of Patient Safety, 2017
- Decreasing Turnaround Time and Increasing Patient Satisfaction in a Safety Net Hospital–Based Pediatrics Clinic Using Lean Six Sigma MethodologiesQuality Management in Health Care, 2016
- Impact of Lean on surgical instrument reduction: Less is moreThe Laryngoscope, 2015
- Redesigning an inpatient pediatric service using Lean to improve throughput efficiencyJournal of Hospital Medicine, 2014
- Patient Discharge Time Improvement by Using the Six Sigma Approach: A Case StudyQuality Engineering, 2013
- Using Six Sigma Methodology to Reduce Patient Transfer Times from Floor to Critical-Care BedsJournal for Healthcare Quality, 2012