The Use of Lean Six Sigma Methodology in the Reduction of Patient Length of Stay Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Surgery

Sinead Moffatt, Catherine Garry, Hannah McCann, Sean Paul Teeling, Marie Ward and Martin McNamara
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Sinead Moffatt: Beacon Hospital, Beacon Court, Bracken Rd, Sandyford Business Park, Sandyford, Dublin 18, D18 AK68 Dublin, Ireland
Catherine Garry: Beacon Hospital, Beacon Court, Bracken Rd, Sandyford Business Park, Sandyford, Dublin 18, D18 AK68 Dublin, Ireland
Hannah McCann: Beacon Hospital, Beacon Court, Bracken Rd, Sandyford Business Park, Sandyford, Dublin 18, D18 AK68 Dublin, Ireland
Sean Paul Teeling: UCD Centre for Interdisciplinary Research, Education & Innovation in Health Systems, School of Nursing, Midwifery & Health Systems UCD Health Sciences Centre, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
Marie Ward: Centre for Innovative Human Systems, School of Psychology, Trinity College, The University of Dublin, Dublin 2, D02 PN40 Dublin, Ireland
Martin McNamara: UCD Centre for Interdisciplinary Research, Education & Innovation in Health Systems, School of Nursing, Midwifery & Health Systems UCD Health Sciences Centre, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 3, 1-18

Abstract: Background: The purpose of this study was to reduce the length of stay of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction patients within a private hospital in Ireland, reducing any non-value-added activity in the patient pathway, with the goal of increasing patient flow, bed capacity, and revenue generation within the hospital system, while maintaining patient satisfaction. Methods: We used a pre-/post-intervention design and Lean Six Sigma methods and tools to assess and improve the current process. Results: A reduction in inpatient length of stay by 57%, and a reduction in identified non-value-added activity by 88%, resulted in a new day-case surgery pathway for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction patients. The pathway evidenced no re-admissions and demonstrated patient satisfaction. Conclusion: Six months post-project commencement, we had successfully achieved our goals of reducing our anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction patient’s length of stay. This study contributes to the growing body of published evidence which shows that adopting a Lean Six Sigma approach can be successfully employed to optimise care and surgical pathways in healthcare.

Keywords: anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction; length of stay; non-value added; Lean Six Sigma; day case; surgery (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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