Abstract 18105: Lean Six Sigma Approach to Improve Post Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Cardiac Rehab Referral Rates
Veronica Andre, Timothy A Shapiro, Shaung Ooi, Manju Bengaluru Jayanna- Physiology (medical)
- Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
Background: Cardiac rehabilitation referral rates remain low despite known benefits including decreased mortality and improved quality of life. Studies have identified factors tied to both positive and negative predictors of referral rates, however, overall, it appears to be due to site-specific variation demonstrating the need for hospital-level intervention.
Aims: This quality improvement study aimed to improve cardiac rehabilitation referral rates after PCI at our institution utilizing the Lean Sigma Six (LSS) approach, which has been described as a means to improving the quality of healthcare delivery.
Methods: An interdisciplinary team used the Define-Measure-Analyze-Improve-Control (DMAIC) framework to implement this study. A GEMBA walk i.e., personal observation of workflow was performed. We
Results: Baseline referral rates ranged from 10-60%. A significant increase in cardiac rehabilitation referral rate achieving a target referral greater than 90% was observed and maintained through the subsequent quarters.
Conclusion: LSS is a powerful methodology to examine causes of delay in care. Intervention using LSS principles and tools, may help improve system processes to achieve desired quality outcomes.