Linking Six Sigma to simulation: a new roadmap to improve the quality of patient care

PurposeImproving the quality of patient care is a challenge which calls for a multidisciplinary approach embedding a broad spectrum of knowledge and involving healthcare professionals from diverse backgrounds. The purpose of this paper is to present an innovative approach which implements the discrete-event simulation (DES) as decision supporting tool in the management of Six Sigma quality improvement projects.Design/Methodology/ApproachA roadmap has been designed to assist quality practitioners and health care professionals in the design and successful implementation of simulation models within the Define-Measure-Analyze-Design-Verify (DMADV) or Define-Measure-Analyze-Improve-Control (DMAIC) Six Sigma procedures.Practical implicationsThe roadmap is a structured procedure that people involved in quality improvement can implement to manage projects based on the analysis and comparison of alternative scenarios. FindingsA case study about the reorganization of the flow of emergency patients affected by vertigo symptoms has been developed in a large town hospital as a preliminary test of the roadmap. The positive feedback from professionals carrying out the project looks promising and encourages further roadmap testing in other clinical settings. Originality/ValueThe role of Six Sigma philosophy in quality-improvement of healthcare services is recognized both by researchers and by quality practitioners; discrete-event simulation models are commonly used to improve the Key Performance Measures of patient care delivery. The two approaches are seldom referenced and implemented together; however, they could be successfully integrated to carry out quality improvement programs: this paper proposes an innovative approach to bridge the gap and enrich the Six Sigma toolbox of quality improvement procedures with DES.