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Quality improvement in healthcare: Six Sigma systematic review

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  • Niñerola, Angels
  • Sánchez-Rebull, María-Victoria
  • Hernández-Lara, Ana-Beatriz

Abstract

Six Sigma has been widely used in the healthcare sector as a management tool to improve patient quality and safety. The objective of this study is to identify opportunities for its implementation through literature analysis. A literature review has been carried out since the first publication of Six Sigma in the sector appeared until 2017, 20 years in all. To this end, it has been used three databases: MEDLINE, Web of Science (Core Collection) and Scopus. Accordance with the 196 articles of our database, it is found that: (1) Six Sigma publications in healthcare sector have been carried out mostly in the USA, (2) multiple specialities and services have used this tool, among them, we can emphasize the operating room and radiology service, (3) the case study has been the most used methodology and, (4) the objectives are focused mainly on achieving reductions of time, costs and errors, for the improvement of the quality and the satisfaction of the patients. This review seeks to serve healthcare professionals to know the benefits that Six Sigma can generate in processes that take place in a health center, hospital or other organizations in the sector.

Suggested Citation

  • Niñerola, Angels & Sánchez-Rebull, María-Victoria & Hernández-Lara, Ana-Beatriz, 2020. "Quality improvement in healthcare: Six Sigma systematic review," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 124(4), pages 438-445.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:hepoli:v:124:y:2020:i:4:p:438-445
    DOI: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2020.01.002
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jami L. DelliFraine & James R. Langabeer II, 2009. "An institutional perspective on quality initiatives: evidence beyond manufacturing," International Journal of Information Systems and Change Management, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 4(1), pages 3-14.
    2. Aicha Aguezzoul & Nyoungue Aimé, 2012. "A preliminary analysis on Lean Six Sigma application in healthcare," Post-Print hal-01338425, HAL.
    3. Andrea Chiarini & Enrico Bracci, 2013. "Implementing Lean Six Sigma in healthcare: issues from Italy," Public Money & Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 33(5), pages 361-368, September.
    4. Philippe Mongeon & Adèle Paul-Hus, 2016. "The journal coverage of Web of Science and Scopus: a comparative analysis," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 106(1), pages 213-228, January.
    5. Nathan Proudlove & Claire Moxham & Ruth Boaden, 2008. "Lessons for Lean in Healthcare from Using Six Sigma in the NHS," Public Money & Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 28(1), pages 27-34, February.
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