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A six sigma approach to maximizing productivity in the cardiac cath lab
Faye LeBlanc1, Sandy McLauglin, John Freedman
1Cardiac Cath Lab/Special Procedures, Acadiana Heart Institute, Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center, Lafayette, LA, USA.
Insights
Hospitals can improve cardiac catheterization lab productivity and capacity by implementing the Six Sigma methodology. This approach addresses challenges like declining reimbursement and new technologies to enhance economic returns.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare Management
- Health Economics
- Quality Improvement
Background:
- Cardiac catheterization labs are significant hospital capital investments.
- Historically, high procedure margins ensured rapid economic return.
- Declining Medicare reimbursement, DRG changes, and new technologies threaten profitability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe strategies for improving cardiac catheterization lab throughput and capacity.
- To present a case study of Six Sigma implementation in a cardiac cath lab.
Main Methods:
- The study details the application of the Six Sigma methodology.
- A specific case example from a busy cardiac cath lab in the southeastern US is presented.
Main Results:
- The Six Sigma methodology was successfully applied.
- The implementation led to improved productivity and increased available capacity in the cardiac cath lab.
Conclusions:
- The Six Sigma methodology is an effective strategy for enhancing cardiac cath lab productivity.
- Improving throughput and capacity is crucial for maintaining economic viability in cardiac catheterization services.
Abstract:
Cardiac catheterization laboratories represent one of the most significant capital investments for hospitals. Historically, hospitals could achieve an economic return fairly rapidly on this capital investment because of the relatively high contribution margin on many of the procedures performed in the department. However, recent changes in DRG assignments, declines in Medicare reimbursement, and the advent of new technologies, such as drug-coated stents, pose a threat to achieving planned economic return. In response, many hospitals are pursuing strategies to improve throughput in the cardiac cath lab and maximize the number of procedures performed. The case example in this article describes how a busy cardiac catheterization lab in the southeastern United States successfully applied the Six Sigma methodology to improving productivity and increasing available capacity.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Cardiac Catheterization I: Pre-Procedure Overview
01:21Cardiac Catheterization II: Right Heart Catheterization
01:24Cardiac Catheterization III: Left Heart Catheterization
01:26Cardiac Catheterization IV: Nursing Management