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Improving performances of the knee replacement surgery process by applying DMAIC principles
Giovanni Improta1, Giovanni Balato2, Maria Romano3,4
1Department of Chemical Engineering, Materials and Industrial Production, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy.
Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice
|September 27, 2017
Summary
Lean Six Sigma
Area of Science:
- Health Care Management
- Process Improvement
- Quality Improvement
Background:
- Lean Six Sigma is a proven methodology for enhancing healthcare processes.
- Previous studies demonstrated its effectiveness in hip replacement surgery.
- This study focuses on applying the DMAIC cycle to knee replacement surgery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To apply the Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve, and Control (DMAIC) cycle to optimize knee replacement surgery.
- To reduce the length of hospital stay (LOS) for patients undergoing prosthetic knee replacement.
- To identify key factors influencing LOS and implement targeted improvement strategies.
Main Methods:
- The DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve, Control) cycle was implemented.
- Data from 148 knee replacement patients (2010-2013) at University Hospital "Federico II" were analyzed.
- Process mapping, statistical analysis, and comparative methods identified LOS influencers.
Main Results:
- Key variables prolonging hospital stay were identified.
- Corrective actions were implemented, leading to significant improvements.
- The average length of stay (LOS) decreased by 42%, from 14.2 to 8.3 days.
Conclusions:
- The DMAIC approach effectively reduced the length of hospital stay in knee replacement surgery.
- Implementation of DMAIC led to significant cost reductions.
- This methodology is adaptable for improving various healthcare processes.
