Lean Six Sigma is a method for strategic process improvement that aims to improve operational uniformity and quality, reduce variations and waste. Lean Six Sigma derived from a merging between Japanese Lean Thinking and American Six Sigma. Lean Thinking and Six Sigma have traditionally been applied to manufacturing and many of their tools and principles derive from the Total Quality Management, which is nowadays also implemented in the healthcare sector. The field of healthcare is very different from that of manufacturing and this raises the question of whether it is feasible to apply Lean Six Sigma and in what way. The aim of this paper is to understand how the Lean Six Sigma model could be adapted in healthcare organizations, with particular reference to the Italian context. In particular, the analysis will show how and when combine Lean and Six Sigma tools and principles, taking into consideration people and processes involved. The issues arises from a case study in the Italian healthcare, nonetheless some of these can be generalised to other healthcare system.
IMPLEMENTING LEAN SIX SIGMA IN HEALTHCARE: ISSUES FROM ITALY
BRACCI, Enrico;CHIARINI, Andrea
2013
Abstract
Lean Six Sigma is a method for strategic process improvement that aims to improve operational uniformity and quality, reduce variations and waste. Lean Six Sigma derived from a merging between Japanese Lean Thinking and American Six Sigma. Lean Thinking and Six Sigma have traditionally been applied to manufacturing and many of their tools and principles derive from the Total Quality Management, which is nowadays also implemented in the healthcare sector. The field of healthcare is very different from that of manufacturing and this raises the question of whether it is feasible to apply Lean Six Sigma and in what way. The aim of this paper is to understand how the Lean Six Sigma model could be adapted in healthcare organizations, with particular reference to the Italian context. In particular, the analysis will show how and when combine Lean and Six Sigma tools and principles, taking into consideration people and processes involved. The issues arises from a case study in the Italian healthcare, nonetheless some of these can be generalised to other healthcare system.I documenti in SFERA sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
