Case Studies
A Lean project to address why physicians were not receiving lab results in a timely manner was implemented. Lab processes were evaluated from order generation through verification of results being sent to physicians. Data was collected and evaluated for each step including value stream maps.…
Successful implementation of an evidence-based fall prevention protocol demonstrated a 50 percent reduction in falls without rebound. The program includes staff education, a patient-centered assessment and patient/family education. Read the whole case study below (click 'view item').
Reducing Excess Days in Acute Care | Learn how hospitals can improve patient outcomes and financial outcomes by monitoring excess days, implementing best practices, and reducing readmissions.
A quality improvement project using Lean Six Sigma DMAIC method in a 500-bed tertiary medical center reduced phlebotomy contamination rates from a baseline of 3.1 percent to 0.9 percent. This sustained improvement resulted in the elimination of 82 contaminations yielding annualized cost-avoidance…
Reduction of hospital-acquired infections is a major focus of the board of directors and senior leadership of Sinai Health System. Top decile performance nationally and in Illinois is the Board's expectation. To achieve these levels of performance, members of senior leadership, medical staff,…
Roseland Community Hospital joined the Illinois Foundation for Quality Healthcare, the quality improvement organization for the state of Illinois, and the Illinois Department of Public Health in an effort to reduce health care-associated C. diff infections by 20 percent. A multidisciplinary…
Rush-Copley Medical Center collaborated with the Kane County Health Department after an outbreak of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis was identified in the homeless population. A plan was developed that included identification, isolation and treatment of diagnosed and undiagnosed patients, as well as…
A central line-associated blood stream infection rate of 1.5 infections per 1,000 patient days was identified and brought to nursing and performance improvement, the medical staff executive committee and board of trustees. A goal of zero CLABSI was established. It was determined that process…
This project utilized a failure mode effects analysis methodology to examine why critical care unit central line-associated blood stream infection rates were not zero. A gap analysis was completed and utilized by the team to objectively prioritize processes that needed revision. Flow charts of each…
The Kishwaukee Community Hospital nurses and physicians recognized the opportunity to improve care by eliminating intensive care unit catheter-related blood stream infections. The project included baseline measurement and understanding of causes of variation, implementation of new evidence-based…