ABSTRACT
Heart failure (HF) patients have high 30-day readmission rates with high costs and poor quality of life. This study investigated the impact of a framework blending Lean Sigma, design thinking, and Lean Startup on 30-day all-cause readmissions among HF patients. This was a prospective study in an academic hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. Thirty-day all-cause readmission was assessed using the hospital's electronic medical record. The baseline readmission rate for HF was 28.4% in 2010 with 690 discharges. The framework was developed and interventions implemented in the second half of 2011. The impact of the interventions was evaluated through 2012. The rate declined to 18.9% among 703 discharges (P < .01). There was no significant change for non-HF readmissions. This study concluded that methodologies from technology and manufacturing companies can reduce 30-day readmissions in HF, demonstrating the potential of this innovations framework to improve chronic disease care.
Subject(s)
Heart Failure/therapy , Patient Readmission/statistics & numerical data , Quality Improvement , Aged , Electronic Health Records , Female , Humans , Interdisciplinary Communication , Length of Stay/statistics & numerical data , Male , Patient Education as Topic , Prospective Studies , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
This article describes how anesthesiologists can lead innovation and process improvement focused on regulated medical waste reduction and cost savings using a process improvement methodology known as Lean Sigma.
