Improving operating theatre utilization time in New Najran General Hospital using lean six sigma approach, is it still a valid strategy in healthcare?

Abstract

Background: Operating rooms (ORs) are resource-intense and costly hospital units. Maximizing OR efficiency is essential to maintaining an economically viable institution.
Lean Six Sigma is a widely practiced method that offers organizations a systematized means of pursuing sustainable improvement of processes and achieving a higher level of excellence, New Najran General hospital (NNGH) is located in Najran province, Saudi Arabia, known as being a trauma center in addition to providing other elective and emergency services. We investigated our OT utilization which was found to be lower than benchmarks. So there was a call for action to be taken to identify the root cause(s) and seek corrective measures.
Methods: Lean Six Sigma (LSS) methodology was used to detect root cause(s) using data driven analysis, DMAIC, the 5 phases of the methodology, in addition to selected lean tools were implemented between 15th of February to 15th of May 2024 by cross functional team.
Results: at the end of the three-month study, we succeeded in raising the indicator of OT utilization from 43.5% to 78%, raising sigma level from 1.69 to 2.97. Key interventions included strict attendance monitoring, optimized scheduling and preoperative process improvement.
Conclusion: LSS methodology was very helpful in detecting the root cause of this chronic problem, provided framework for designing solution plans, streamline processes and sustaining improvement outcomes.