Quality Improvement

Quality Improvement

Introduction

The performance of any organization is based on the efficient operation of its processes. The concepts of Total Quality Management have helped organizations improve the quality of their processes and increase the number of clients that can be serviced. The effectiveness of the quality improvement methodologies is dependent on the dedication and type of organization (). The three widely used quality improvement technologies are as follows:

Six Sigma: The core focus of this QI methodology is to decreasing the variance by actively looking out for problems and bottlenecks that affect the quality of the products.

Lean Thinking: It focuses on designing the processes in such a way that there is minimum waste produced. Hence, improved health care industry processes result in saving time on rectifying the problems and focusing on other activities (Harvey 2004, pp 1).

Theory of Constraints: Speed is the center of attention in the Theory of Constraints. It emphases on the importance of creating processes that would benefit the healthcare in respect of time (IMA 1999, p1).

The following table provides a comprehensive comparison between the three quality improvement methodologies.

Six Sigma

Lean Thinking

Theory of Constraints

Focus

Reducing the variance

Suited for Manufacturing firms

Reduce waste

Adopted by Manufacturing firms

Managing effect of constraints

Best results for Manufacturing firms

Methodology

Define the problem

Measure performance of current process

Analyze collected data

Improve

Control for future issues

Identify the stakeholders value

Identify the activities involved in creating value

Create a flow with minimal waste

Respond to customer demand

Continuously improve

Identify the goal

Identify the bottleneck

Rectify the bottleneck

Subordinate processes

Constraint will be elevated

Repeat till best result achieved

Primary impact

Quality improvement

Speedy processes

Fast throughput

Key outcomes

Decreased waste

Decreased warehouse cost

Customer satisfaction

Consistent output

Reduced costs

Improved order delivery times

Less waste

Better quality

Documented processes

Source: Moyers (2004), pp2

Pros and Cons

Six Sigma

Pros

There is a great benefit that is gained by health care from six sigma. It was first implemented in 1998 and one of healthcare industry increased their productivity to 31 %. There was also a decrease in the losses that was observed to be 11 %.

Cons

The problem that is related with Six sigma is that health care being a service oriented industry would not be able to fully benefit from it. This is because six sigma requires implementation to be made from the ground to the top and that would be considered tough for healthcare or a clinic to be implemented

Lean Thinking

Pros

Thourgh lean thinking less losses are been observed and less waste is to be achieved. This is done along with the use of finance or expenditures to gain the target or goals that are to be achieved by the clinic.

Cons

The problem with lean thinking is that the expenditures may be put in something where not to much effort is required. This would eventually lead to false implementation and the lack of target to be achieved

Selected Methodology

Six sigma methodologies to QI are by far the most versatile and advanced among the three methodologies discussed earlier. It is a well laid out methodology that starts off by identifying the current issues with the system in order to propose areas of improvement. Furthermore, the methodology is quite scalable and easy to ...