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.

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