Abstract

The health industry and healthcare must continue to improve efficiencies, improve quality of care and reduce errors against a background of funding reductions and higher patient expectations. Basic quality improvement programmes have delivered benefits but are now proving insufficient to take improvement efforts to a higher level. A more structured and rigorous scientific approach that goes beyond the quality department is required and this is exactly what  Lean 6 Sigma  delivers. The DMAIC (Define- Measure-Analyse-Improve & Control) methodology becomes the foundation for creating a culture of excellence throughout an organisation where everyone is on a journey to eliminate waste, defects and variability. There is a strong focus on evidence and data that can actually prove the benefits.