Quality Improvement Methods - Research Paper Example

The sigma model comprises five steps in its operation. The first step involves the definition of the problem. Here, the problem is identified, and all its elements are listed down. Secondly, the magnitude of the problem is determined by placing focus on its parts. The third phase involves studying the processes to ascertain the problem cause; the fourth step is improving, which aims at eliminating the problem root cause. Finally, the fifth step involves taking control by developing and applying the ongoing monitoring, measures.

Lean method

The lean process can also be referred to as the Toyota production process. It was derived from the successes of the Toyota motor company and its quality improvement focuses on the elimination of waste in the processes. The waste is eliminated by removing work that adds no value hence increasing the value of programs, products, and services.  Delays in customer service and duplicates in patient information are some of the most common wastes in health care organizations.

Therefore, while the six-sigma approach aims at reducing error margins, the lean method focuses on the elimination of wastes from the system. To address the issues of both error and wastes, these two methods can be combined to come up with the lean six-sigma method. The lean six sigma method works by eliminating both the errors and the wastages within the system thus bringing out quality output.

Plan Do Check Act (PDCA)

This is another very common method for quality improvement. It works as a circle that is applicable once an opportunity for improvement has been identified. The circle begins with a plan; this is where the relevant observations and data are gathered then analyzed. The next step is done- where the most likely solution is assessed, and its effect analyzed. Thirdly, you move to the check stage where results of small-scale tests and analysis are compared (Fleming et al, p.264). The small-scale tests represent the entire process, if the tests provide desirable results, step 5 is applied. Here permanent changes are made appropriately to the process. If the tested change does not successfully meet the requirements, then it is advisable to go through the circle again by testing more potential elements.

In conclusion, the six sigmas, the lean, and the plan do check act methods all aim at improving the quality of outputs. Each of these methods applies different concepts in quality improvement. Some of these concepts can also be combined to produce much more refined results. Such is the case when the six-sigma method is combined with the lean method, the outcome is tremendous.