Title: Radiation oncology Lean Six Sigma project selection based on patient and staff input into a modified quality function deployment

Authors: Claribel Bonilla, Todd Pawlicki, Leonard Perry, Brigitte Wesselink

Addresses: Industrial and Systems Engineering, University of San Diego, 5998 Alcala Park, San Diego, CA 92110, USA. ' Department of Radiation Oncology, UC San Diego, Moores Cancer Center, 3855 Health Sciences Dr. #0843, La Jolla, CA 92093–0843, USA. ' Industrial and Systems Engineering, University of San Diego, 5998 Alcala Park, San Diego, CA 92110, USA. ' Industrial and Systems Engineering, University of San Diego, 5998 Alcala Park, San Diego, CA 92110, USA

Abstract: Quality Function Deployment (QFD) is a methodology that has proven to be useful by incorporating the |voice of the customer| by translating customer needs into technical requirements, guaranteeing that new or existing products and services meet or exceed customer expectations. In this study, a modified QFD is developed to select and prioritise projects by weighting an internal staff assessment and mapping this against a patient survey. We present how the modified QFD tool is used for the selection and prioritisation of Lean Six Sigma projects in a hospital|s radiation oncology department. In addition, we present how internal feedback (staff, administrators, physicists, physicians) and external feedback (patients) are collected and used in the tool.

Keywords: quality function deployment; QFD; house of quality; project selection; healthcare; lean six sigma; radiation oncology.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSSCA.2008.021836

International Journal of Six Sigma and Competitive Advantage, 2008 Vol.4 No.3, pp.196 - 208

Published online: 05 Dec 2008 *

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