Understanding Six Sigma

Currently, most hospitals operate at 3 Sigma or less defective rate, this translates into poor patient satisfaction and devastating patient outcomes. This, simply put, is not good enough!
The Lean Six Sigma approach identifies and eliminates variation in patient care that causes adverse outcomes and poor patient satisfaction for your hospital or ambulatory clinic. Winning and keeping customers requires near perfect performance. The bottomline is that companies operating at Three or Four Sigma spend up to 25% of their revenues fixing defects. This is known as the “cost of poor quality”.

The Six Sigma approach identifies and eliminates defects with a structured, data-driven, problem-solving method of using rigorous data-gathering and statistical analysis. The statistical representation of Six Sigma describes quantitatively how a process is performing. To achieve Six Sigma, a process must not produce more than 3.4 defects per million opportunities. A Six Sigma defect is defined as anything outside of customer specifications.

Six Sigma differs from traditional quality improvement programs in its focus on input variables. While traditional process improvement methods depend upon measuring outputs and establishing control plans to shield customers from organizational defects, a Six Sigma program demands that problems be addressed at the input root cause level, thereby eliminating the need for unnecessary inspection and rework processes.

 

About

6SigmaTek-logo

Our mission at 6SigmaTek is to provide practical training that can be used immediately on the hospital floor and in the ambulatory clinic. We teach the tools by applying them to real projects in real time. Our students typically consist clinicians,house keeping, finance, administrators, infection control specialist, quality, risk, etc. We provide a common sense approach of problem solving.

We offer mentoring after training for all belt levels, we walk with your staff to ensure gains are met and maintained. Our value proposition is that we target a 2:1 ROI. We offer 3-month mentoring after training for Green Belt and Black Belt trainees. We provide all training and presentation templates needed for project success. We offer 2 on-site visits to the client’s location, as well as Champion Training and project selection criteria before participants begin training. We are a one-stop- shop for Lean and Six Sigma. Learn more about us…

Are Health Care Reform initiatives keeping you up at night?

With the onset of Health Care Reform which includes initiatives such as VBP and Meaningful Use and Accountable Care Organizations, hospital processes have to be repeatable, consistent, and safe. Voice of the Customer and Transparency are the new “NormaI” imperatives. Now more than ever before it is the minimum responsibility and duty to be reliable, consistent, and provide safe processes through flawless execution for patients. We at 6SigmaTek look at processes, “One patient at a time”. It doesn’t matter if you are a 10 bed hospital or a 1000 bed hospital; that one patient could be a loved one. Our passion is that the patient comes first.

Services

  • Lean Certification and Training

  • Lean Deployment

  • 6Sigma Certification and Training

  • Strategic Planning

  • Joint Commission onsite assessment

  • Performance Metric Creation

  • Baldrige Training

  • Baldrige Assessment

  • Process/Facility Simulation Modeling

  • Kaizen Event Training

  • Kaizen Event Facilitation

  • Kaizen Facilitator Training

  • Secret Patient

Our Results

-30 min.

Reduced CHF discharge by 30 minutes per patient

-17% LOS

Diabetes Meal Insulin Coordination – Reduced LOS for Diabetic patients by 17% (1 day)

-72%

Blood Culture Rework – Reduced rework rate by 72%

-58%

Physician Clinic Messaging – Reduced time for MD to return patient calls by 58%

+83%

Physician Clinic Workflow – Improved Press Ganey scores by 83%. Decreased total visit time by 20 minutes

-50%

Main ER Throughput – Reduced LWBS by half and also realized a $273,186 positive financial impact

-80 min.

ER Admission Process – Reduced non-value added charting time by 80 minutes and reduced LWBS by half

-50%

Reduced vaccine inventory by more than 50% to reduce waste and enhance cash flow

*These results represent a portion of more than $1.8 million in financial benefits/savings from April 2010 through February 2011 across the following facilities:
Our Lady of the Lake RMC, St. Elizabeth Hospital, Our Lady of Lourdes RMC, and St. Francis Medical Center. (Results may vary.)
Contact 6SigmaTek today for a complementary analysis of your hospital.

Transformed Hospitals

Jennings American Legion Hospital
Touro Infirmary
Ocean Springs Hospital
Greenwood Leflore Hospital
West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital
St. Dominic Health Services, Inc.
Lake Charles Memorial Hospital
Delta Regional Medical Center
Our Lady of the Lake Medical Center
Anderson Regional Medical Center
Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital
Our Lady of Angels Hospital
St. Elizabeth Hospital
St. Francis Medical Center
Good Shepherd Medical Center
Penn Highlands Dubois Hospital
Homer Memorial Hospital

Louisiana Hospital Association
Madison Parish Hospital
VA Hospital – Salisbury, NC
OCH Regional Medical Center
Baptist Memorial Healthcare
Beauregard Memorial Hospital
Forrest General Hospital
Memorial Hospital at Gulfport
Ochsner Clinic Foundation
Ochsner St. Anne Hospital
Singing River Health System
Southwest Mississippi RMC
St. Tammany Parish Hospital
Williamson Medical Center
Willis-Knighton Health System
Highland Community Hospital
St. Dominic-Jackson Mem. Hosp.

Customer Testimonials

“Thanks for the tool kit and thanks again for your instructional wisdom. You are very good at what you do. I believe this week we made a big move toward sustaining (Shituke) our LEAN initiatives here at Piedmont. I have been out on the floor this afternoon and talked with several people even those not in the training and I have gotten great reviews from the week from everyone.”

Dean HallPiedmont Aviation

“Steve did a tremendous job. You can tell that he believed in this process and is vested in this way of doing things. Not just from a personal financial perspective, but he became part of the our hospital family. He wants us to be successful. I had a terrific time learning and look forward to continued success with this process.”

“It was apparent they poured their heart and soul in the material and training sessions. The hands on experiences were invaluable in applying the material.”

Steve was very knowledgeable in key areas and presentation of the material. Very committed to the success of the Kaizen.

“I’m glad I attended – and glad to have ongoing support from Steve.”

“Steve’s math skills and humor absolutely amazed me! I wish I could afford that 1967 Chevelle! It was apparent how badly he wanted one. Steve’s passion is ensuring that we are successful and that is evident and appreciated!”

“Steve has an amazing attention to detail. During the Kaizen he was so focused on the policies, etc. His experience was a great benefit.”

“The class has helped me learn some of the latest tools and software available for Lean Six Sigma Projects. The instructor has considerable industry experience and relates this well to the course. This course benefits me further by strengthening my statistical skills. Wish I had taken it sooner.”

Bill Rice WinstonSalem State University Student

“For me the Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Training removed the mystique of ‘Six Sigma’, and replaced it with a practical process improvement methodology for solving everyday business problems. What sets this course apart is the integration of passionate class room instruction with the real-life application through each student’s individual project. Bottom line: An outstanding value for the money.”

A J PrestonProduction Team Manager, Armacell, LLC

“Before taking this course, I had very little experience with any six sigma tools. Mr. Griffin was able to present six sigma in a way that made many complex concepts seem much easier. He was able to keep the class excited through questions, examples and team activities. In addition to this, Steve collected feedback near the end of every class as a form of in-class VOC (Voice of the Customer). Steve used this feedback to drive his teaching method in a way that made it easier for us (and future classes) to understand the material.”

Jim McCartyPermatech

“During the Lean Six Sigma Black Belt courses, Mr. Griffin, taught in an energetic fashion demonstrating in depth knowledge, continuously backed up with real life examples. He makes connections with each student through personal assistance and perspectives on our black belt projects. His gusto for teaching is balanced with a genuine caring for his students and the desire that students succeed, not just in class, but in life.”

John Becht2007 Logistics Manager Hafele

“Mr. Griffin was very energetic and upbeat throughout the class lessons. His energy and passion about the material was clearly seen and appreciated. His subject material was continuously supported by real life examples. He connected with each student by sharing similar past problem experiences in an effort to provide assistance with each of our individual projects. Steve has been among a few instructors that I have encountered that express a deep passion about his work and demonstrate a strong desire for his students to achieve. Some of his lessons extend beyond Six Sigma and can be applied to my personal life as well.”

Chris Joines2007 Commodity Manager Advanced Purchasing Takata

“I have known Steve for over 30 years. I met him as a Junior High football player and today he is my instructor and mentor. I have worked with Steve in the corporate environment and have always been impressed by his technical skills and professional acumen. Steve has a passion for six sigma and over the years he has worked to hone his skills. Steve does an excellent job of passing on to his classes the practical and theoretical elements required to be resourceful as a Black Belt in industry. If you are looking for the right class and instruction to improve your quality systems look no further. Thank you Steve for your vision and passion you bring to this program.”

John L. Nance2007 Senior Quality Engineer-ASQE Takata

“Steve Griffin’s energy and real world experience has made Six Sigma interesting and even fun to learn. His experience ranges from the production line to the front office; it is this experience that allowed me to incorporate Six Sigma into our company.”

Jaimie GillisShopbot Tool

“Mr. Griffin expanded on the topics in Six Sigma Black Belt that I originally found difficult in other classes. He applied real life examples and the light bulb finally came on and it became clear to me. 6SigmaTek even offered me assistance with data analysis from my company and he converted what my manger perceived as useless information into reality as well as gave our company direction as to how to solve the major source of variation. I would recommend this class to middle to upper management — the money my company saved on my in class project far exceeded the cost of the class.”

Russell TerrellEngineer of Triem Electric Motors

The ability to encourage achievement with a sophisticated tool set – motivating the inexperienced and inspiring the seasoned – is rare. Steve demonstrated great skill and has been an invaluable asset to our organizational. We have come to think of him as a team member and colleague, not a consultant.

Deborah Ford, RN, MSN, RWJWNEF, ANAIFVice President Patient Care Services/Chief Nursing Executive

One particular project that I remember had to do with reducing the rate of contaminated lab specimens associated with blood cultures. At the beginning of the initiative, SFMC had a contamination rate of approximately 6% which is double the national average. Through the work of the team that Steve assembled they reduced the rate to below 1%

Louis H. Bremer, Jr., FACHERetired CEO

Mr. Griffin has been an excellent instructor throughout all levels of my certifications. He has provided leadership through all the peaks and valleys of my projects. He praised my wins no matter how big or small. But most importantly, when he saw I was struggling, he provided me with additional instruction, tools, and/or words of encouragement to help me through the problem or situation.

DeJuana MalcombManager, Supply Chain Process Improvement

Mr. Griffin’s examples and hands on approach while taking us through Mini Tab, we started to realize what these numbers before us were trying to say regarding our data. There were several teams in the class working on different projects and was great to see these principles being applied to each situation. This started to show us how adaptable this training can be. Mr. Griffin asked us for weekly progress reports to make sure we remained committed to the training as we worked toward our Kaizen dates.

Tony OgdenHR Generalist

We set a goal of training an appropriate amount of lean professionals and grooming at least one black belt to become a master black belt to continue the fine work that Steve began. Although this task involved him working to make our organization independent, perhaps to his personal loss, Steve never hesitated to celebrate our progress.This selfless service is also rare among consultants. I give Steve Griffin and 6 Sigmatek my highest recommendation and would be happy to speak further regarding the work he has done in our health system.

Vindell Washington, MD, MHCMVice President, Performance Excellence and Technology
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