Advanced Lean & Six Sigma: Effective Tools for Healthcare Management

Most Lean and Six Sigma certification programs in healthcare focus only on a few basic tools, but in this course, we will cover more advanced techniques that are highly effective in making real improvements in operations and quality. These advanced methods have been in use for many years by managers both within and outside of the healthcare industry.

This course will teach you six different methods for solving problems and making decisions. You will receive templates, instructions, and sufficient healthcare-related practice examples to give you the hands-on experience you need to apply your knowledge.

What You Will Learn:

Participants will develop a comprehensive understanding of the following six methods and when to use them. This material requires mathematics, but tools and templates will also be provided for a more basic, conceptual understanding.

Queuing: How to predict, manage and optimize waiting - patient waiting, staff waiting and information waiting. Waiting is very predictable using Queuing Models which work well along with Lean tools to reduce wait time.
Forecasting: Using data to predict both the immediate and long-term future. Participants will learn when and how to use Forecasting Models to plan staffing and other resources. Attendees will put this information to practical use by completing hands-on exercises. Data and spreadsheet tools will be provided.
Optimization methods are used for the allocation of scarce resources, which affect considerations, such as scheduling and staffing.
Simulation: Capabilities and limitations of discrete event simulation models will be explained. Using a computer to determine events by changing a model of the current system is applicable to many areas: from the emergency department to surgery to a clinic. Simulation modeling software will be provided for a hands-on experience.
Decision Theory: The basics of alternate approaches, when to use each method, and how to make rational decisions. A case study and exercise will be done.
Facility Layout: A good layout of work space is key to productivity. Tools are provided to reduce the waste resulting from poor arrangements in new or existing building areas.

What you will gain:

Participants will leave the course with an ability to use the specific methods listed above. Instruction, templates, and simulations will be provided throughout the program. Attendees will be able to apply each of the tools to issues and decisions that likely exist at your site or in your healthcare-related situation. Examples of the benefits from using the tools and techniques taught in Advanced Lean & Six Sigma: Effective Tools for Healthcare Management include: increased patient throughput using simulation models, better inventory control using forecasting, and reduced staffing with queuing and optimization models. Improvement efforts are limited when these methods are not utilized. These methods have been used for years and produce significant benefits in reduced cost, improved patient satisfaction, and increased revenue.

Instructor Bio

David Belson, Ph.D. has helped dozens of hospitals and clinics improve their productivity. He applies his background of over 30 years as a professor in industrial engineering. He has developed and teaches classes on improving health care operations at the USC Viterbi School of Engineering and in USC Price School of Public Policy’s Master of Health Administration Program. He has written articles regarding Lean, Six Sigma, and other operations improvement methods for radiology, surgery, emergency departments, and other hospital functions. He has initiated research projects funded by the California HealthCare Foundation, as well as the VA and the California Hospital Association. He has held management positions with Ernst & Young, IBM, and Universal Studios. He has taught at several European universities and was a Fulbright distinguished scholar. Recent work includes Lean training for the California Critical Access hospitals as well as research at San Francisco General Hospital. He has a BS Degree in Engineering from the University of Washington, an MS from UCLA, and a PhD in Industrial Engineering and Economics from USC.

Why Consider a Custom Course for Your Organization?

Custom courses provide the opportunity to create an educational program that meets the specific needs of your organization. The following are a few reasons why our clients have chosen USC Viterbi School of Engineering as their program provider:

Interest in connecting with USC experts for real organizational issues
Engineering training and executive education opportunities in a condensed period of time
Educational opportunities at multiple company sites through on-site training and/or distance offerings to several sites simultaneously
Preference for providing Continuing Education Units (CEUs) rather than degree-oriented academic units
Overall flexibility in timing, delivery and pricing

If you are interested in learning more, please contact us by email or at 213-740-4488