Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Statgraphics01:10

Statgraphics

380
Statgraphics is a comprehensive statistical software suite designed for both basic and advanced data analysis. Originating in 1980 at Princeton University under Dr. Neil W. Polhemus, it was one of the pioneering tools for statistical computing on personal computers, with its public release in 1982 marking an early milestone in data science software. Over the years, it has evolved into a robust platform for data science, offering tools for regression analysis, ANOVA, multivariate statistics,...
380
Introduction to Statistical Process Control01:15

Introduction to Statistical Process Control

605
Statistical Process Control (SPC) is a method used to monitor and control quality within processes, particularly in manufacturing and service delivery, by employing statistical methods. SPC aims to distinguish between natural (common cause) variation and variation due to specific changes or events (special cause), allowing for timely improvements and sustained quality. The control chart, a pivotal tool in SPC, visually displays data over time alongside a central line of upper and lower control...
605
Regression Toward the Mean01:52

Regression Toward the Mean

6.8K
Regression toward the mean (“RTM”) is a phenomenon in which extremely high or low values—for example, and individual’s blood pressure at a particular moment—appear closer to a group’s average upon remeasuring. Although this statistical peculiarity is the result of random error and chance, it has been problematic across various medical, scientific, financial and psychological applications. In particular, RTM, if not taken into account, can interfere when...
6.8K
Run Charts01:12

Run Charts

276
Run charts serve as an essential instrument for visualizing the performance of various processes over time, enabling the identification of trends and patterns crucial for quality improvement. These charts map out a series of data points chronologically, offering insights into the stability and efficiency of a process. A run chart's creation involves plotting data points on a graph, with the time intervals on the horizontal axis and the specific measurements on the vertical axis. For...
276
Overview of Minitab01:11

Overview of Minitab

580
Minitab is a statistical software package designed for data analysis. With its origins in the 1970s and development at Pennsylvania State University, Minitab has grown significantly in its capabilities and applications. It plays a crucial role in quality management projects, especially in Six Sigma initiatives, by offering tools for process improvement and statistical analysis. Minitab's significance lies in its user-friendly interface, making complex statistical analysis accessible to...
580
Statistical Analysis System (SAS)01:14

Statistical Analysis System (SAS)

847
SAS, short for Statistical Analysis System, is a powerful data analysis, management, and visualization tool. Developed by the SAS Institute in the early 1970s, SAS has evolved into a comprehensive software suite used across various industries for statistical analysis, business intelligence, and predictive modeling.
Applications: SAS finds applications in numerous fields, including healthcare for clinical trial analysis, finance for risk assessment, marketing for customer data analysis, and...
847

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

The story behind the threat: One big beautiful bill deconstructed.

Journal of the National Medical Association·2026
Same author

Using a participative process to implement CRPD articles towards quality of life outcomes.

Research in developmental disabilities·2025
Same author

Advances in the assessment of self-determination: internal structure of a scale for people with intellectual disabilities aged 11 to 40.

Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDR·2020
Same author

Diversity improves performance and outcomes.

Journal of the National Medical Association·2019
Same author

Operationalisation of quality of life for adults with severe disabilities.

Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDR·2015
Same author

The concept of quality of life and its role in enhancing human rights in the field of intellectual disability.

Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDR·2012

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 16, 2026

Simulation of a Scaled Assembly Process with Collaboration of a Robotic Arm and Monitoring through a Vision System for Quality Control
05:47

Simulation of a Scaled Assembly Process with Collaboration of a Robotic Arm and Monitoring through a Vision System for Quality Control

Published on: August 29, 2025

423

Lean six sigma improves performance not outcomes: Past limitations, potential solutions.

L E Gomez1

  • 1Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, USA.

Journal of the National Medical Association
|October 1, 2025
PubMed
Summary

Lean Six Sigma (LSS) has transformed US healthcare by reducing medical errors and wait times. While improving quality metrics and operational efficiency, its impact on overall healthcare costs and consumer savings requires further examination.

Keywords:
Health outcomesLean healthcareLean six sigma, DMAICQuality Improvement

More Related Videos

Making Record-efficiency SnS Solar Cells by Thermal Evaporation and Atomic Layer Deposition
14:01

Making Record-efficiency SnS Solar Cells by Thermal Evaporation and Atomic Layer Deposition

Published on: May 22, 2015

43.3K
A Workflow for Lipid Nanoparticle LNP Formulation Optimization using Designed Mixture-Process Experiments and Self-Validated Ensemble Models SVEM
13:54

A Workflow for Lipid Nanoparticle LNP Formulation Optimization using Designed Mixture-Process Experiments and Self-Validated Ensemble Models SVEM

Published on: August 18, 2023

5.8K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jan 16, 2026

Simulation of a Scaled Assembly Process with Collaboration of a Robotic Arm and Monitoring through a Vision System for Quality Control
05:47

Simulation of a Scaled Assembly Process with Collaboration of a Robotic Arm and Monitoring through a Vision System for Quality Control

Published on: August 29, 2025

423
Making Record-efficiency SnS Solar Cells by Thermal Evaporation and Atomic Layer Deposition
14:01

Making Record-efficiency SnS Solar Cells by Thermal Evaporation and Atomic Layer Deposition

Published on: May 22, 2015

43.3K
A Workflow for Lipid Nanoparticle LNP Formulation Optimization using Designed Mixture-Process Experiments and Self-Validated Ensemble Models SVEM
13:54

A Workflow for Lipid Nanoparticle LNP Formulation Optimization using Designed Mixture-Process Experiments and Self-Validated Ensemble Models SVEM

Published on: August 18, 2023

5.8K

Area of Science:

  • Healthcare Management
  • Quality Improvement
  • Process Optimization

Background:

  • Lean Six Sigma (LSS) has been implemented in US healthcare for over 25 years, evolving into Lean Healthcare (LH).
  • LSS tools have historically reduced medical errors, wait times, and care delivery costs, enhancing patient safety and satisfaction.
  • While Six Sigma improves operational profitability, its effect on reducing consumer and insurer costs remains limited.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the impact of Lean Six Sigma (LSS) implementation on healthcare costs, quality metrics, and patient outcomes.
  • To highlight lessons learned from large-scale LSS adoption in the US healthcare system.
  • To explore the potential application of LSS in small healthcare practices.

Main Methods:

  • Review of research on Lean Six Sigma (LSS) implementation in the US healthcare sector.
  • Analysis of LSS impact on key performance indicators including medical errors, wait times, costs, patient satisfaction, and health outcomes.
  • Examination of national healthcare spending trends in relation to quality outcomes.

Main Results:

  • LSS has demonstrably reduced medical errors, wait times, and care costs, while improving patient satisfaction and turnover.
  • Despite quality improvements, national healthcare spending continues to rise disproportionately compared to other high-income nations.
  • Operational profitability has increased with LSS, but cost reductions for consumers and insurers are not consistently observed.

Conclusions:

  • Lean Six Sigma (LSS) offers significant benefits for healthcare quality and efficiency, particularly in reducing errors and wait times.
  • The broader impact of LSS on national healthcare expenditure and consumer cost savings warrants further investigation.
  • LSS implementation holds potential for small practices seeking to optimize operations and improve patient care.