Six Sigma in healthcare: lessons learned from a hospital
by Jaap Van Den Heuvel, Ronald J.M.M. Does, John P.S. Verver
International Journal of Six Sigma and Competitive Advantage (IJSSCA), Vol. 1, No. 4, 2005

Abstract: Six Sigma is a quality improvement approach aimed at optimising processes while reducing defects and costs. It has been developed and is widely used in industry and recently has been introduced, on a limited scale, in healthcare. In this article, we discuss the results of the implementation of Six Sigma at the Red Cross Hospital in Beverwijk, the Netherlands. From the initial start in 2002, up to now, 44 projects have been initiated and 21 projects are closed. Projects are initiated in various departments and disciplines. Co-workers on almost all levels within the organisation are being trained and have been provided with tools to perform projects that improve quality and reduce costs of healthcare delivery. The results show that the completed projects produced €1.2 million in annual savings. The expected total net annual savings of all running projects are €3 million.

Online publication date: Sat, 24-Dec-2005

The full text of this article is only available to individual subscribers or to users at subscribing institutions.

 
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.

Pay per view:
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.

Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Six Sigma and Competitive Advantage (IJSSCA):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:

Username:        Password:          Forgotten your password?

Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.

If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com