Manager's Guide to Six SIGMA in Healthcare: Practical Tips and Tools for Improvement

Six Sigma reinforces current developments in healthcare management: evidence based medicine, service line management, and magnet nursing. Six Sigma fits the real healthcare world, dealing with manual tasks and the exceptional needs of patients.

This book provides guidance to an organizational strategy that attains and sustains results. It explains how to use in-hand data to improve patient safety, patient service, and patient care for data-informed decision making. A section is also included on finite capacity scheduling models, a key issue in hospital productivity improvement.

Benefits:
It is the first book made with strictly management in mind, organized for quick and easy reference. Each topic starts with a check list and follows with additional information in increasing detail. The practical tips and tools included are made to be immediately applicable.

Intended for senior managers of hospitals and medical clinics, this guide introduces the Six Sigma management method based on the use of meaningful internal data, quantitative targets, coherent objectives, and sustainable performance. The 33 short chapters suggest practical strategies for improving patient care and service, operations, communication systems, and management tools. Annotation ©2005 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Robert Barry is an adjunct professor at the University of Pittsburgh, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. He has a BS from Iowa State University, and MS and PhD degrees from the University of Pittsburgh. His faculty experience includes Penn State University and the University of Pittsburgh.