Reducing Liver Transplant Length of Stay: A Lean Six Sigma Approach

• DOI: 10.7182/pit2013226
• Publication Date: 2013-12-06T02:03:39Z
• Authors: Alexander H. Toledo; Tracy Carroll; Emily Arnold; Zeynep Tulu; Tom Caffey; Lauren E. Kearns; David A. Gerber
• Keywords: Lean Six Sigma; DMAIC

Organ transplant centers are under increasing scrutiny to maintain outcomes while controlling cost in a challenging population of patients. Throughout health care and specifically, length stay is used as benchmark for both quality resource utilization.To decrease our liver by using Lean Six Sigma methods.The DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) method was systematically analyze process from listing hospital discharge after transplant, identifying many factors affecting stay.Adult, single-organ, primary recipients between July 2008 June 2012 were included the study. Recipients with living donors or fulminant failure excluded.Multiple interventions, including clinical pathway enhanced communication, implemented.Length readmission transplant.R ESULTS: Median decreased significantly 11 days before intervention 8 intervention. Readmission rate did not change throughout The improved maintained 24 months study.Using approach, we able These results brought center's accordance goal industry days. Clear expectations, teamwork, multidisciplinary key elements achieving maintaining these gains.