How is Lean Six Sigma applied to the Healthcare Industry?
One set of tools successfully borrowed from the manufacturing industry and applied to the healthcare industry is “Lean Six Sigma”, which is based on the foundation of a set of process improvement tools focused on eliminating waste in various processes and in turn increasing throughput. For example, waiting is one type of waste and variation. In a manufacturing organization this could be parts, inspections, machine repairs, etc. In the healthcare industry, this could be waiting for bed assignments, admissions, testing, treatment and lab results. This methodology can be successfully applied in both industries to eliminate their relevant forms of waste and variability, thereby increasing throughput, decreasing costs, and increasing profitability.
