Maríosa Kieran1, Mary Cleary2, Aoife De Brún3, Aileen Igoe4. 1. Pharmacy Department, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Eccles St., Dublin D07 R2WY, Republic of Ireland. 2. Department of Nursing, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Eccles St., Dublin D07 R2WY, Republic of Ireland. 3. School of Nursing, Midwifery & Health Systems, Health Sciences Centre, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland. 4. Mater Lean Academy, Transformation Office, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Eccles St., Dublin 7, D07 R2WY, Ireland.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To improve efficiency, reduce interruptions and reduce the time taken to complete oral drug rounds. DESIGN: Lean Six Sigma methods were applied to improve drug round efficiency using a pre- and post-intervention design. SETTING: A 20-bed orthopaedic ward in a large teaching hospital in Ireland. PARTICIPANTS: Pharmacy, nursing and quality improvement staff. INTERVENTION(S): A multifaceted intervention was designed which included changes in processes related to drug trolley organization and drug supply planning. A communications campaign aimed at reducing interruptions during nurse-led during rounds was also developed and implemented. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Average number of interruptions, average drug round time and variation in time taken to complete drug round. RESULTS: At baseline, the oral drug round took an average of 125 min. Following application of Lean Six Sigma methods, the average drug round time decreased by 51 min. The average number of interruptions per drug round reduced from an average of 12 at baseline to 11 following intervention, with a 75% reduction in drug supply interruptions. CONCLUSIONS: Lean Six Sigma methodology was successfully employed to reduce interruptions and to reduce time taken to complete the oral drug round.
OBJECTIVE: To improve efficiency, reduce interruptions and reduce the time taken to complete oral drug rounds. DESIGN: Lean Six Sigma methods were applied to improve drug round efficiency using a pre- and post-intervention design. SETTING: A 20-bed orthopaedic ward in a large teaching hospital in Ireland. PARTICIPANTS: Pharmacy, nursing and quality improvement staff. INTERVENTION(S): A multifaceted intervention was designed which included changes in processes related to drug trolley organization and drug supply planning. A communications campaign aimed at reducing interruptions during nurse-led during rounds was also developed and implemented. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Average number of interruptions, average drug round time and variation in time taken to complete drug round. RESULTS: At baseline, the oral drug round took an average of 125 min. Following application of Lean Six Sigma methods, the average drug round time decreased by 51 min. The average number of interruptions per drug round reduced from an average of 12 at baseline to 11 following intervention, with a 75% reduction in drug supply interruptions. CONCLUSIONS: Lean Six Sigma methodology was successfully employed to reduce interruptions and to reduce time taken to complete the oral drug round.
Authors: Ailish Daly; Sean Paul Teeling; Suzanne Garvey; Marie Ward; Martin McNamara Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-02-27 Impact factor: 3.390