Lean Six-Sigma: the means to healing an ailing NHS?

Bancroft, John; Saha, Krish; Li, Di; Lukacs, Gabor; Pierron, Xavier

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine England’s Accident and Emergency (A&E) arm of the National Health Service (NHS). It considers the positive impact that Lean has had and Six-Sigma can have in A&E departments to improve the quality and reliability of the service offered, in an area that is facing performance challenges.
Design/methodology/approach – Independent variables average monthly temperature data (degrees Celsius) obtained from the Met Office and weekly A&E data, patient volume is analysed alongside the dependent variable, the percentage of patients seen in 4 h or less.
Findings – The model produced a robust positive impact when Lean Six-Sigma is adopted, increasing the likelihood of A&E dependents meeting their performance objective to see and treat patients in 4 h or less.
Research limitations/implications – Further variables such as staffing levels, A&E admission type should be considered in future studies. Additionally, it would add further clarity to analyse hospitals and trusts individually, to gauge which are struggling.
Practical implications – Should the NHS further its understanding and adoption of Lean Six-Sigma, it is believed this could have significant improvements in productivity, patient care and cost reduction.
Social implications – Productivity improvements will allow the NHS to do more with an equal amount of funding, therefore improving capacity and patient care.
Originality/value – Through observing A&E and its ability to treat patients in a timely fashion it is clear the NHS is struggling to meet its performance objectives, the recommendation

Citation

Bancroft, J., Saha, K., Li, D., Lukacs, G., & Pierron, X. (2018). Lean Six-Sigma: the means to healing an ailing NHS?. International Journal of Quality and Reliability Management, 35(9), 1976-1988. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijqrm-01-2017-0006

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 22, 2018
• Publication Date: Oct 1, 2018
• Deposit Date: Mar 25, 2019
• Journal: International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management
• Print ISSN: 0265-671X
• Publisher: Emerald
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 35
• Issue: 9
• Pages: 1976-1988
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/ijqrm-01-2017-0006
• Keywords: Performance, Six-Sigma, Healthcare, Quality, Productivity,
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/1684569