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  • Title: Using Six Sigma methodology to reduce patient transfer times from floor to critical-care beds.
    Author: Silich SJ, Wetz RV, Riebling N, Coleman C, Khoueiry G, Abi Rafeh N, Bagon E, Szerszen A.
    Journal: J Healthc Qual; 2012; 34(1):44-54. PubMed ID: 23552174.
    Abstract:
    INTRODUCTION: In response to concerns regarding delays in transferring critically ill patients to intensive care units (ICU), a quality improvement project, using the Six Sigma process, was undertaken to correct issues leading to transfer delay. OBJECTIVE: To test the efficacy of a Six Sigma intervention to reduce transfer time and establish a patient transfer process that would effectively enhance communication between hospital caregivers and improve the continuum of care for patients. METHODS: The project was conducted at a 714-bed tertiary care hospital in Staten Island, New York. A Six Sigma multidisciplinary team was assembled to assess areas that needed improvement, manage the intervention, and analyze the results. RESULTS: The Six Sigma process identified eight key steps in the transfer of patients from general medical floors to critical care areas. Preintervention data and a root-cause analysis helped to establish the goal transfer-time limits of 3 h for any individual transfer and 90 min for the average of all transfers. CONCLUSIONS: The Six Sigma approach is a problem-solving methodology that resulted in almost a 60% reduction in patient transfer time from a general medical floor to a critical care area. The Six Sigma process is a feasible method for implementing healthcare related quality of care projects, especially those that are complex.
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