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Overview Of The Six Sigma Strategy

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The creation of a consistent culture of safety and quality in an intensive care unit can be a major challenge. Many healthcare organizations are embracing the Six Sigma strategy to reduce variability and decrease risk for central line-associated bloodstream infections. This process is known as the Define-Measure-Analyze-Improve-Control (DMAIC) process. The five steps required are as follows: 1) define the project goal and identify issues to address; 2) measure the current trends to obtain baseline data; 3) Analyze root cause(s) of problem; 4) improve the process, while removing barriers; and 5) control the process through monitoring (Loftus, Tilley, Hoffman, Bradburn, & Harvey, 2015). The DMAIC framework, performance improvement model …show more content…

Process customers included frontline nurses, pharmacists, trauma clinical nurse specialists, and infection prevention staff that underwent training through web-based activities, educational sessions, and consultation with Six Sigma engineers. The NTICU patients and families were designated as end customers who would benefit through reduced risk of infection, and ultimately mortality and morbidity (Loftus et al., 2015). Defined quality improvement objectives were established: 1) utilize a multidisciplinary systematic and evidence-based approach to control rate of CLABSI in NTICU through maintenance of central line device utilization ratio below the national benchmark for like units (National Hospital Safety Network [NHSN] 0.56); 2) improve system assessment documentation in the electronic medical record for compliance with central line bundle; and 3) share the lessons learned and outcomes with health care clinicians regionally and nationally (Loftus et al., …show more content…

The cart allows the nurse to be present with and assist with placement, if necessary. Use of the insertion checklist ensures adherence to sterile technique and execution of line insertion per policy. The insertion checklist assists to empower nurses to stop the insertion, if proper procedure is not being followed. Evidence-based practice bundle was implemented including chlorhexidine gluconate bath every 24 hours, set schedule for dressing changes, mandatory use of biopatch, intravenous tubing changes every 96 hours, removal of femoral lines within 24 hours of admission, and daily evaluation of line necessity (Loftus et al.,

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