Lean six sigma to reduce medication errors in hospitals

Yaifa Trakulsunti, Jiju Antony

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperpeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)
5050 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Medication errors are one of the primary causes of patient mortality and morbidity and a costly problem in hospitals. Although healthcare organizations have endeavored to reduce medication errors by using several tools and techniques, this issue still remains. It is important for healthcare sectors to employ an appropriate process excellence methodology to reduce the number of medication errors which will save costs and quality of care. Lean and Six Sigma are two of the most powerful process improvement methodologies widely adopted by many international companies today. The authors argue that these methodologies are equally applicable in reducing errors within the medication process. Both Lean and Six Sigma use appropriate tools from their toolboxes to improve medication process. This paper will present the benefits, challenges, and tools and techniques of Lean and Six Sigma in reducing medication errors. The paper is valuable for healthcare practitioners and professionals as a guideline to achieve the optimal benefit of Lean and Six Sigma implementation to reduce medication errors. Moreover, the paper also provides a greater awareness for senior managers and medical directors in hospitals about the role of Lean Six Sigma and its associated tools and techniques in tackling medication errors.

Original languageEnglish
Pages305-311
Number of pages7
Publication statusPublished - 2018
Event2018 Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers Annual Conference and Expo - Orlando, United States
Duration: 19 May 201822 May 2018

Conference

Conference2018 Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers Annual Conference and Expo
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityOrlando
Period19/05/1822/05/18

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Control and Systems Engineering
  • Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

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