Successfully Using Six Sigma (6σ) to Improve Nursing Quality Indictors Joann Hatton, RN MS, 6σ Black Belt Director of Nursing Professional Practice Heritage Valley Health System Beaver, PA Objectives 1. Describe how Six Sigma can be used to improve nursing quality indicators. 2. Describe how the DMAIC process identified the critical steps surrounding the incidence or pressure ulcers. 1
About Heritage Valley Health System Recommended by the JCAHO The Medical Center, Beaver, with 358 beds Sewickley Valley Hospital, with 191 beds Five affiliated physician groups: Tri-State Medical Group, Sewickley Valley Medical Group, Tri-State Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tri-State Gynecology, Tri-State Pediatric Associates Sewickley Valley Hospital and The Medical Center foundations Quality Method: Six Sigma The Medical Center was recently named as one of the nation's 2005 Performance Improvement Leaders by Solucient 100 Top Hospitals Best Practice for Six Sigma Implementation (April 2005) What is Six Sigma? A method to analyze Variation Has a strong metric component; it is Data Driven Data Driven A process to reduce variation so that acceptable performance is within Six Standard Deviations (6 σ) 2
Six Sigma Concept Every Human Activity Has Variability... Lower Customer Specification Mean Upper Customer Specification 1σ Errors Target Reducing variability is the essence of six sigma Six Sigma Concept A process to reduce defects per million opportunities (DPMO) 2 σσ 308,537 DPMO Quantitative methodology, utilizing measurements and scientific process 3 4 5 6 66,807 6,210 233 3.4 Defect pressure ulcer, patient fall, antibiotic delay, central line infection, med omitted 3
DMAIC: A Problem Solving Methodology Define Measure Analyze Improve Control Project Selection Team Team Formation Define Opportunities Measure the the Process Analyze Data Collected Innovate Solutions Make Make Improvements Sustain The The Gain We are forced, after improvement, to remeasure, analyze and then control the process Six Sigma: A Set of Tools Procedures Environments Material GOAL Control Control Charts Charts Measurement Equipment People Process Process Flow Flow Diagram Diagram Cause Cause and and Effect Effect Diagram Diagram Category Severity (SEV) RISK PRIORITY NUMBER (RPN) = SEVERITY X 0CCURRENCEX ESCAPED DETECTION Score 5 4 3 2 1 Severe High Moderate Minor Negligible Occurrence Very High High Moderate Low Very Low (OCC) Failure Failure Modes Modes and and Effects Effects Analysis Analysis --FMEA FMEA Escaped Very High High Moderate Low Very Low Detection (DET) Item 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0 Measurement System Analysis Glass Inspection Test Operator 1 Operator 2 Operator 3 Test 1 Test 2 Test 1 Test 1 Test 2 Test 2 Measurement System Analysis 4
Six Sigma Project: Preventing Hospital Acquired Pressure Ulcers define Why Reduce Hospital Acquired Pressure Ulcers? 1. Nursing Quality Indicator (NDNQI) - Magnet Status - Regulatory Agencies - DOH 2. Health Care Cost - Increase Health Care Cost - Increase LOS - Increase Use of Resources/Materials - Potential For Litigation 3. Increased Mortality - Due to complications (Sepsis) 4. Patient Satisfaction 5. Perception that the rate of hospital acquired pressure ulcer was higher than expected. Our Profile of a Patient with Decubitus Ulcer define A review of 226 cases from July 2005 to Jan 2006 with ICD-9 Principle or Secondary diagnosis of 707 (decubitus ulcer) showed: Mean age 71 with a range of 17-92 56% female and 44% male Top 5 diagnosis codes: heart failure, hypertension, urinary track infection, atrial fibrillation and COPD. Top 2 DRGs: heart failure and septicemia Discharging nursing unit: A1 (46%), B3 (32%) and A3 (9%) 49% Medicare and 25% Security Blue LOS average 7.6 days +/- 6.3 days Discharge Status: SNF 40%, Home 23%, HH 18% Expired n = 16 (7%) 5
Skin Care Committee Team Members define Nursing Administration Joann Hatton RN Director of Nursing Kathy Hoffman RN CWOCN Nurse Gail Inman RN CWOCN Nurse Critical Care Cheryl Decker RN CardioPulmonary Step Down Kathy Starkey RN Level 3 Medical Surgical Units Kristen Majetic RN A3 Med Surg Lisa McLean RN Level 2 Med Surg Kristen Coster RN Level 1 Med Surg Ting Andrews LPN Level 1 Med Surg Psychiatric Unit Pat Martyak RN Inputs People Patients Families Nurses Clinical Techs CWOCN Nurse Physicians Policies / Procedures Risk Assessment Nutrition Screen Documentation Tool Event Reporting Training /Education Skill/knowledge Competency Equipment / Supplies Bed Surfaces Pressure Relief Devices Dressings Wound care products IPO Preventing Hospital Acquired Pressure Ulcers Outputs Quality Reduced Incidence pressure ulcers Practicing evidenced based nursing (ie risk assessment) Competent and knowledgeable staff Customer Satisfaction Improved patient/family satisfaction Improved physician satisfaction Improved relationships define HR Improved nursing satisfaction Positive impact on nursing retention Financial Reduced patient costs Reduced LOS 6
Patient Admitted to Hospital Skin Assessment Completed by RN (Admission Assessment) Stage 1 Skin / Risk Assessment Process Flow PROCESS FLOW Event Report Stage 2 Skin Breakdown Present? no yes Stage 3 Stage 4 Risk Assessment Completed by RN (Braden Scale) Risk Assessment Completed by RN (Braden Scale) Unstageable Follow Skin Care Protocol according to Risk and Stage Not Currently at Risk >18 Implement Prevention Strategies and reassess Braden Scale daily. At Risk? Low to Moderate Risk 12-18 Implement Prevention Strategies and if other major risk factors are present, advance to next level of risk High Risk < 12 Implement Prevention Strategies and consult CWOCN measure TMC: All Units Percent of Surveyed Patients with Hospital Aquired Pressure Ulcers The Medical Center 30 4Q04 1Q05 2Q05 3Q05 4Q05 25 25.00 25.00 20 15 15.80 13.33 10 5 0 10.10 8.86 8.30 8.3 8.67 7.10 6.12 6.10 4.8 4.10 4.16 4.34 4.80 3.00 2.17 2.5 1.38 1.38 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Critical Care CardioPulmonary Level 1 Level 2 A3 Psych TMC Target < 11.29 Target < 7.42 Target < 5.39 Target < 8.03 Data Source: NDNQI 7
Hillrom Study March 2005 measure TMC Data Analysis: TMC rates below Benchmarks = TMC Analysis: Failure Modes What Have We Learned? MANPOWER Staff Education Lack of knowledge on protocol/policy Lack of knowledge on products Competency (has not been one for past 4 years) Policy / Protocol not up to date Improvement Steps analyze / improve 1. Revised Skin Care Protocol Aug 2005 to reflect evidence based practice. Included easy to follow tables on equipment and products. Completed 2. Provided Staff Education In Progress On line learning module for RNs on Risk Assessment Incorporated Assessment / Staging into Annual Nursing Seminar. Skills lab for CTs (turning, positioning, reducing shearing and friction) 8
What Have We Learned? analyze /improve Analysis: Failure Modes MANPOWER Role of CWOCN nurse not clear Hospital culture (expect ET to do it) Inappropriate consults CWOCN workload Improvement Steps Further study and define role of CWOCN Completed 1. July 2005 Kathy Hoffman CWOCN reassigned full time at TMC with Gail Inman providing support coverage. 2. In addition to seeing patients, focus on customer service and coaching / mentoring of RNs, CTs and students 3. Monthly tracking of caseloads looking at workload and types of consults. 4. Focus on improved event reporting / FU 5. Job Description revised 6. Participation in Western PA WOCN Assoc. Role of CWOCN 11% 12% 4% 32% Pressure Ulcers Ostomies Leg Ulcers Wounds Visits by Reason for Consult Volume of Visits Derm 11% Other (burns, fistulas, tubes,drains) 30% CWOCN Visits per Day Average visits per day CWOCN Monthly Visits Average 202 visits per month 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 July 9.5 September 10.4 11.0 October 7.7 November December 10.1 January 9.2 Fy06 9.6 250 200 150 100 50 0 189 July 219 September 219 O ctober 161 November 222 December 202 January 9
What Have We Learned? analyze /improve Analysis: Failure Modes MANPOWER Skin Care Committee Only meets quarterly Ill defined - unclear focus other than audits focus not on PI No management involvement / accountability Not all units represented Managers not really aware of what they did Improvement Steps Resurrect Skin Care Committee with newly defined charter. Completed 1. Decided quarterly was sufficient in 2006 2. All units now represented 3. NDNQI results shared with members 4. Each meeting focus on a PI topic and education 5. Competency completed on all members Aug 2005 6. DON Professional Practice attends mtgs 7. Summary of meeting and findings communicated via email to nursing leadership within 24 hours of mtg. What Have We Learned? analyze /improve Analysis: Failure Modes MEASUREMENT Question validity of data Audit process not clearly defined Not using current NDNQI forms and data definitions Only completed quarterly No real time feedback to Mgrs feel rates are higher than reported in prevalence studies Improvement Steps Revised Measurement / Auditing Process Aug 2005 Completed 1. Using current NDNQI forms 2. DON PP and CWOCN completed NDNQI online tutorial 3. Review data collection methodology with skin care committee prior to each quarterly audit. 4. Attended conference call by NDNQI on improving reliability and validity of data. 5. Review audits at mid day and at end of day to ensure accuracy and completeness 6. Nursing assumed responsibility for data entry into NDNQI web based system. 7. Manager s review and initial audit tool at the end of the day. 8. CWOCN weekly tracks incidence of pressure ulcers. 10
What Have We Learned? analyze /improve Analysis: Failure Modes MACHINES Bed Utilization - high rental fees over and under utilization monitoring bed usage (what reports are out there?) mattresses and beds are old Improvement Steps Plan for replacing all beds in 5 year capital plan In Progress 1. All Critical Care beds replaced Nov 05 2. Preventive surface included in all beds 3. Stopped using mattress overlays MATERIALS Lack of knowledge on - which products available at TMC - when to use which product - where products are kept Included one page tables on equipment and products as an attachment in the Skin Care Protocol. In Progress 1. CWOCN focus on 1:1 coaching / mentoring at the bedside. 2. CWOCN participates in value analysis process / committee. What Have We Learned? METHODS Documentation New admission assessment form: Small print, limited education on use Unclear who completes what section of form Patient not captured on admission Event Report not always completed Patients not captured ICDM coding on discharge Risk Assessment Skin Assessment not consistently completed on admission Braden Scale not done or not done correctly on admission Practice varies on some units from 0-100%! Mean is around 45-50% No reassessment of Braden during hospital stay Protocol not initiated when risk present analyze /improve 1. Policy on Admission Assessment revised Moved Braden Scale with Integumentary section of the form defined areas of responsibilities 2. Skin Care Protocol revised to specifically define the process for documentation, risk assessment and event reporting. Changed from on admission to daily Added risk tools to daily graphics 3. Focus on event reporting of pressure ulcers noted on admission by Mgrs, supervisors and CWOCN. 4. Educational sessions for nursing to focus on Risk Assessment and documentation. Completed 11
Documentation Document the patient s initial Braden Scale on the Admission Assessment as usual Record the daily reassessment on the Clinical Record Documentation Document pressure ulcer prevention measures on the Clinical Record and update plan of care. Can I delegate the documentation of the frequent observations to my ClinTech? YES, you are encouraged to do this! 12
Results control The project results so far have been impressive: 1. Reduction in hospital acquired pressure ulcers from 6.9 to 3.5 (Sigma level from 2.9 to 3.5) 2. Incorporation of risk assessment from on admission to daily with an improvement in documentation of risk assessment from 50% to 96%. 20 15 10 5 0-5 -10 UCL=18.281 CEN=6.993 LCL=-4.296 Sigma level 2.9 (69,444 DPM) Hospital Acquired Pressure Ulcers The Medical Center UCL=9.806 CEN=3.539 LCL=-2.728 Sigma level 3.5 (23,148 DPM) 1Q03 2Q03 3Q03 4Q03 1Q04 2Q04 3Q04 4Q04 1Q05 2Q05 3Q05 4Q05 1Q06 2Q06 3Q06 4Q06 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Results Hospital comparison to NDNQI 13
Results: Critical Care Summary Skin care remains an important measure of quality for nursing Incidence of pressure ulcers remains a significant problem in most hospitals. Using a six sigma problem solving approach within nursing can identify and eliminate barriers nurses face in caring for their patients. The FMEA assisted us in developing processes to prevent and mitigate those instances that escaped the initial process. 14