An organization is only as strong as its weakest link. A place where this becomes apparent in healthcare is in the nurse's station. Although it is an important hub where patient information and data flow and where many decisions that guide patient care are decided, it is seldom given the importance it deserves. In May of 2010, a multidisciplinary team from Mercy Hospital, Miami assembled to improve the flow of the 7 Carroll Nursing Station. The project focused on improving the image, operations, and workflow of the extremely busy nursing station. The department was experiencing delays in order processing, barriers to effective communication, safety hazards relating to equipment, associate and MD dissatisfaction along with a poor image for the hospitals external customers. This paper will show how Six-Sigma Tools can be applied in a Healthcare setting. By use of workflow analysis, work samplings, time studies, and surveys the team was able to analyze and improve operations in the Nursing Unit. As a result of the project, the nursing unit experienced a 55% improvement in order entry turnaround time.
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