Review
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2015.
World J Gastrointest Endosc. Apr 16, 2015; 7(4): 328-335
Published online Apr 16, 2015. doi: 10.4253/wjge.v7.i4.328
Table 2 Healthcare quality improvement projects[46]
Plan-Do-Study-Act (P-D-S-A)
Employs cycles of planning (P), small scale pilot testing (D), analysis of test results and lessons learned (S), followed by incorporation and maintenance of new processes into practice (A)
Useful when resources and time are limited and rapid stepwise improvement is desired
Lean method
Seeks to increase efficiency and reduce waste by excluding all processes, steps, or inputs that fail to contribute value to the end product
Useful when existing practices are deemed to be inefficient and cumbersome, with bottlenecks and excessive rework
Employs collaborative team input and process revision through value stream mapping
Six Sigma method
Intensively data driven approach to minimizing variation and thereby reducing defects or errors to improve quality
Use a cyclic approach referred to as the Define-Measure-Analyze-Improve-Control method
Employs more rigorous analytical tools and process control charting under the guidance of local experts
Especially appropriate for repetitive high frequency processes