Case Analysis for Waiting Time Reduction

The provided case analysis highlights the importance of reducing waiting time for patients in a hospital setting. The poor process design leads to increased waiting time, which in turn keeps staff waiting and unproductive. To address this issue, the Lean Six Sigma methodology can be applied to identify and eliminate waste in the patient processing steps. By outlining the patient process flow chart, identifying delays, and streamlining tasks, hospitals can reduce patient waiting times and improve staff productivity.

Case Analysis and Solution To Waiting Time Problem For Staff
As pointed out in the given case, the poor process leads to more waiting time, hence keeps
employee away from the job for a longer duration. Hence, longer waiting time for the patients
keep staff waiting as well. In the example of intravenous pumps, it is mentioned that the hospital
had more inventory than required and still the waiting time for the patients was high. Hence, the
process was poorly designed. The potential reasons is keeping the record of the inventory,
releasing patients who are already using the pumps and many more. An improvement in the
process using a Lean Six Sigma process can reduce the waiting time and cut down the access
inventory that hospital might be holding. Last but not the least, reduction in the patient waiting
time will result in the use of employee’s or staff time productively.
Applying Lean Six Sigma Process For wait time reduction
Lean Six Sigma Methodology is utilized in order to removing waste time that introduces delay in
the overall process. It combines the concept of Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma to reduce
waiting time. Hence, Lean Six Sigma concept can be applied to patient waiting time case for
achieving improved results. Patient process should be outlined in the form of flow chart. For the
given case of intravenous pumps, hospital should outline how the people are provided with the
treatment and what are the steps where patients are waiting (Jackson, & Woeste, 2008).
Secondly, necessary steps that can be delayed to a timezone where patients are not available
should be taken care of. It will ensure that patients are not waiting and staff can handle more
patients at the same time.

Reference
Jackson, J., & Woeste, L. (2008). Using Lean Six Sigma to Reduce Patient Wait Times.
Laboratory Medicine, 39(3), 134-136. http://dx.doi.org/10.1309/7uw17nmuet6m4xfp