A LEAN SIX SIGMA APPROACH TO REDUCE WAITING AND REPORTING TIME IN THE RADIOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN KOLKATA

Authors

  • Dr (Brig). A.P. Pandit MD(HA) DNB(H&HA) Prof, Symbiosis Institute of Health Sciences, PUNE-411004
  • Ms.Tanima Debmallik MBA (HHM) Symbiosis Institute of Health Sciences, PUNE-411004

Keywords:

Lean Six Sigma, Pre-test waiting time, post-test report generation time

Abstract

A Lean Six Sigma (DMAIC) approach was taken to study the issue of the imaging services cycle turnaround time (TAT) of the Radiology Department of a Tertiary care Hospital Kolkata. By conducting a Gemba Walk interview (Annexure 1) and Time motion study (Annexure 2), the entire process was mapped and areas causing delay were identified in the defining and measuring stage. Pareto analysis yielded the root causes of delay in the analysing stage. In the intervention stage practical approaches were undertaken to increase patient orientation and preparedness for the scan thereby decreasing pre-test waiting time and streamlining of operations. The reporting process ultimately aided in reduced pre-test and post-test waiting times.

References

Riebling, N. (2005), “Six sigma project reduces analytical errors in an automated lab”,

Clinical Issues, June, pp. 20-3

Breyfogle, F. W. (2003) “ Implementing Six Sigma—Smarter solutions

using statistical methods” (2nd ed.). New York: Wiley.De Koning, H., & De Mast, J. (in press). A rational

reconstruction of Six Sigma’s breakthrough cookbook.International Journal of Quality and Reliability

Management, 23(5).

“An overview of six sigma applications in healthcare industry.”

Mehmet Tolga Taner and Bu¨lent Sezen

Gebze Institute of Technology, Kocaeli, Turkey, and

Jiju Antony, Caledonian Business School, Glasgow, UK

Antony, J., Antony, F. and Taner, T. (2006), “The secret of success”, Public Service Review: Tradeand Industry, Vol. 10, pp. 12-14

“Implementing Lean Six Sigma Methodologies in the Radiology Department of a Hospital Healthcare System”. Jamie Workman-Germann, Purdue University, Regenstrief Center for Healthcare Engineering,2007, pp. 5

“Increasing patient satisfaction seen in reduced wait times”. Kelly Bilodeau, The "Mammography Regulation and Reimbursement Report." Exerpt published in Auntminnie.com

http://www.auntminnie.com/index.aspx?sec=ser&sub=def&pag=dis&ItemID=70345

“Optimized delivery radiological reports: applying Six Sigma methodology to a radiology department.”

Cavagna E, Berletti R, Schiavon F, Scarsi B, Barbato G, La Radiology Medica, 2003 Mar;105(3):205-14.

“A Lean Six Sigma journey in Radiology.” Ronald V. Bucci,PhD, Anne Musitano, Rph,B.Pharm; Radiology Management, A Journal of AHRA, The Association for Medical Imaging Management. May-June 2013, Vol 3, pp. 27-32

“Applying Six Sigma to improve diagnostic imaging.” Carolyn Pexton, Case Study published in isixsigma.com

http://www.isixsigma.com/new-to-six-sigma/dmaic/applying-six-sigma-improve-diagnostic-imaging/

“German case study shows benefit of Lean Six Sigma method in IR suite”, Michael Walter, July 2015, Published in Radiologybusiness.com

http://www.radiologybusiness.com/topics/practice-management/quality/lean-six-sigma-method-leads-improved-care-german-ir-suite

Additional Files

Published

15-06-2016

How to Cite

Dr (Brig). A.P. Pandit, & Ms.Tanima Debmallik. (2016). A LEAN SIX SIGMA APPROACH TO REDUCE WAITING AND REPORTING TIME IN THE RADIOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN KOLKATA. International Education and Research Journal (IERJ), 2(6). Retrieved from https://ierj.in/journal/index.php/ierj/article/view/293

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 6 (2016): JUNE ISSUE, INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION AND RESEARCH JOURNAL

Section

Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2021 International Education and Research Journal (IERJ)

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.