Six Sigma in healthcare

Six Sigma enables hospitals and other medical institutions to improve patient safety and satisfaction by improving both medical and administrative performance.

A hospital in Holland, was experiencing long delays of planned surgery and therefore patient dissatisfaction, due to inefficient use of the Operating Theaters. As this situation was a major concern, the hospital doctors and the management team were searching for a solution.

As Operating Theaters (OTs) are expensive and capacity-limiting facilities, a Six Sigma project was launched to identify root causes for poor utilization.