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The Use of Lean Six Sigma for Improving Availability of and Access to Emergency Department Data to Facilitate Patient Flow

Author

Listed:
  • Ailish Daly

    (Beacon Hospital, Sandyford, D18 AK68 Dublin, Ireland)

  • Seán Paul Teeling

    (UCD Centre for Interdisciplinary Research, Education & Innovation in Health Systems, School of Nursing, Midwifery & Health Systems, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
    Centre for Person-Centred Practice Research Division of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, Queen Margaret University Drive, Queen Margaret University, Musselburgh EH21 6UU, UK)

  • Marie Ward

    (Centre for Innovative Human Systems, School of Psychology, Trinity College, The University of Dublin, D02 PN40 Dublin, Ireland)

  • Martin McNamara

    (UCD Centre for Interdisciplinary Research, Education & Innovation in Health Systems, School of Nursing, Midwifery & Health Systems, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland)

  • Ciara Robinson

    (Beacon Hospital, Sandyford, D18 AK68 Dublin, Ireland)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to redesign an emergency department [ED] data management system to improve the availability of, and access to, data to facilitate patient flow. A pre-/post-intervention design was employed using Lean Six Sigma methodology with a focus on the voice of the customer, Gemba, and 5S to identify areas for improvement in ED data management processes and to inform solutions for improved ED patient flow processes. A multidisciplinary ED team includes medical consultants and registrars, nurses, patient service staff, radiology staff, as well as information technology and hospital management staff. Lean Six Sigma [LSS] diagnostic tools identified areas for improvement in the current process for data availability and access. A set of improvements were implemented to redesign the pathway for data collection in the ED to improve data availability and access. We achieved a reduction in the time taken to access ED patient flow data from a mean of 9 min per patient pre-intervention to immediate post-intervention. This enabled faster decision-making by the ED team related to patient assessment and treatment and informed improvements in patient flow. Optimizing patient flow through a hospital’s ED is a complex task involving collaboration and participation from multiple disciplines. Through the use of LSS methodology, we improved the availability of, and fast access to, accurate, current information regarding ED patient flow. This allows ED and hospital management teams to identify and rapidly respond to actions impacting patient flow.

Suggested Citation

  • Ailish Daly & Seán Paul Teeling & Marie Ward & Martin McNamara & Ciara Robinson, 2021. "The Use of Lean Six Sigma for Improving Availability of and Access to Emergency Department Data to Facilitate Patient Flow," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-15, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:21:p:11030-:d:660758
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ogbeiwi, Osahon, 2021. "General concepts of goals and goal-setting in healthcare: A narrative review," Journal of Management & Organization, Cambridge University Press, vol. 27(2), pages 324-341, March.
    2. Deming, W. Edwards, 2018. "The New Economics for Industry, Government, Education, third edition," MIT Press Books, The MIT Press, edition 3, volume 1, number 0262039001, December.
    3. Carmen, Raïsa & Van Nieuwenhuyse, Inneke & Van Houdt, Benny, 2018. "Inpatient boarding in emergency departments: Impact on patient delays and system capacity," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 271(3), pages 953-967.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Ailish Daly & Sean Paul Teeling & Suzanne Garvey & Marie Ward & Martin McNamara, 2022. "Using a Combined Lean and Person-Centred Approach to Support the Resumption of Routine Hospital Activity following the First Wave of COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-20, February.
    2. Martin McNamara & Marie Ward & Seán Paul Teeling, 2023. "Making a Sustainable Difference to People, Processes and Systems: Whole-Systems Approaches to Process Improvement in Health Systems," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(7), pages 1-5, March.
    3. Sinead Moffatt & Catherine Garry & Hannah McCann & Sean Paul Teeling & Marie Ward & Martin McNamara, 2022. "The Use of Lean Six Sigma Methodology in the Reduction of Patient Length of Stay Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Surgery," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-18, January.
    4. Marie E. Ward & Ailish Daly & Martin McNamara & Suzanne Garvey & Sean Paul Teeling, 2022. "A Case Study of a Whole System Approach to Improvement in an Acute Hospital Setting," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-22, January.
    5. Anne Dempsey & Ciara Robinson & Niamh Moffatt & Therese Hennessy & Annmarie Bradshaw & Sean Paul Teeling & Marie Ward & Martin McNamara, 2021. "Lean Six Sigma Redesign of a Process for Healthcare Mandatory Education in Basic Life Support—A Pilot Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-18, November.

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