1. Application of Lean Sigma to the Audiology Clinic at a Large Academic Center.
- Author
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Huddle MG, Tirabassi A, Turner L, Lee E, Ries K, and Lin SY
- Subjects
- Academic Medical Centers, Efficiency, Organizational, Humans, Prospective Studies, Appointments and Schedules, Audiology standards, Outpatient Clinics, Hospital standards, Quality Improvement
- Abstract
Objective: To apply Lean Sigma--a quality improvement strategy to eliminate waste and reduce variation and defects--to improve audiology scheduling and utilization in a large tertiary care referral center. The project goals included an increase in utilization rates of audiology block time and a reduction in appointment lead time., Study Design: Prospective quality improvement study., Setting: Academic tertiary care center., Subjects: All patients scheduling audiology clinic visits July 2013 to July 2014., Methods: Value stream mapping was performed for the audiology scheduling process, and wasteful steps were identified for elimination. Interventions included a 2-week block release, audiology template revision, and reduction of underutilized blocks. Schedule utilization and lead time for new patient diagnostic audiogram were measured for 5 months postintervention and compared with 5 months preintervention. Overall, 2995 preintervention and 3714 postintervention booked appointments were analyzed., Results: Block utilization increased from 77% to 90% after intervention (P < .0001). Utilization of joint-with-provider visits increased from 39% to 67% (P < .0001). Booked appointments increased from 2995 to 3714, with joint-with-provider booked appointments increasing from 317 to 1193. Appointment lead time averaged 24 days postintervention, compared with 29 days preintervention (P = .06). Average monthly relative value units measured 13,321 preintervention and 14,778 postintervention (P = .09)., Conclusion: Lean Sigma techniques were successfully used to increase appointment block utilization and streamline scheduling practices., (© American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery Foundation 2016.)
- Published
- 2016
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