Six Sigma applied to reduce patients' waiting time in a cancer pharmacy
by Mazen Arafeh; Mahmoud A. Barghash; Eman Sallam; Alaa AlSamhouri
International Journal of Six Sigma and Competitive Advantage (IJSSCA), Vol. 8, No. 2, 2014

Abstract: Six Sigma process improvement methodology has been applied to reduce patients' waiting time in an outpatient pharmacy located in a cancer treatment hospital. Data concerning patients' satisfaction has been collected and analysed. Discrete event simulation (DES) model and design of experiments are utilised as a decision support tool to optimise staffing requirements. Throughout the different project phases, various improvement opportunities have been proposed to reduce patients waiting time. Sensitivity analysis was also performed to test the robustness of the processes against possible changes in the availability of staff in the pharmacy. As a result of implementing Six Sigma methodology, patients' waiting time are reduced by 50%.

Online publication date: Mon, 11-Aug-2014

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