Quality and Safety in Healthcare, Part XCIV: Six Sigma and Lean Six Sigma in Health Care.

Abstract

For existing goods or services, Six Sigma uses the steps of DMAIC and the statistical analysis of data to decrease variation and errors, improve the value of an organization's outputs to the customers, and increase the profitability of the organization. In health care, in view of the training required and other issues, Six Sigma is best used for large complex problems, although it has also been applied successfully to smaller issues. Many examples of the use of Six Sigma and Lean Six Sigma in health care are reviewed.