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Six Sigma Quality Design and Control
2006, 348 pages
$90 list price
ISBN 1-886958-23-8
Author:
James O. Westgard, Ph.D.
Contents:
- 20 Chapters
- 6 appendices
- Reference list
- Glossary
- Index
- Six Sigma analysis of more than 40 example
tests
- Real-world metrics on thousands of laboratories
- Updated data on desirable specifications for quality control from Ricos et al.
- Financial worksheets
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Six Sigma Quality Design and Control, Second Edition
Revised, Updated, Expanded. Essential.
Six years ago, Six Sigma was relatively unknown in healthcare. While widely embraced by other industries, Six Sigma was a latecomer to hospitals and diagnostic corporations.
Today, Six Sigma is well-known in healthcare. Majors hospitals, reference laboratories, and diagnostic manufacturers have dramatically reduced waste, improved patient care - and saved millions in the process. For healthcare, Six Sigma is a win, win, win proposition.
But even the most experience black belts don't understand laboratory analytical processes. Generic Six Sigma applications may overlook the unique challenges and opportunities in the laboratory. Without a deep understanding of the core laboratory process, the QC practices in even advanced facilities may remain wasteful and antiquated, more emblematic of the 1950s than the 21st century.
Dr James O. Westgard, PhD, the internationally recognized QC expert and originator of multirule QC procedures (popularly known as "Westgard Rules") has written a book that tackles the heart of laboratory performance. With over three decades of experience in laboratory quality, Dr. Westgard is the perfect guide to Six Sigma implementation in testing processes. With unique tools and insights, Dr. Westgard demonstrates how to assess laboratory processes and direct improvements.
The book is divided into four sections and 20 chapters. The first section deals with Six Sigma methods and metrics - how to characterize a process in order to compare your performance with world class quality. The second section describes tools and technology for Six Sigma design and control. This includes specific illustrations of the use of the Westgard QC Validator® and EZ Rules® technology on real-world laboratory examples.
The third section illustrates
the application strategies for complicated laboratory services
that involve multitest automated systems, cardiac markers
in a POC setting, new-born screening, and patient
data for laboratory QC. Of special importance are the illustrations showing how to define medical tolerance limits on the basis of medical cutoff points and test interpretation guidelines. Through the use of Six Sigma techniques, Dr. Westgard shows how world class quality can be achieved for any area of laboratory testing.
The last section discusses obstacles and opportunities in implementing Six Sigma Quality Management. There are frank discussions of the state of laboratory quality, leadership in the laboratory field, and the crisis in current quality control practices. A comparison of Six Sigma with other popular management fads is included, giving you the ability to compare the costs and benefits of ISO, Patient Safety, Lean, Risk Management, Quality Indicators and Six Sigma.
Finally, the book includes a series of financial worksheets to help you assess the current state of your laboratory testing processes and the cost savings that may be possible through Six Sigma improvements. Perhaps most importantly, it helps you identify the costs of your current laboratory performance.
The tools and techniques are completely described, using over 100 graphs and tables. Also included are a glossary, reference list, appendices with CLIA requirements, European biological goals, clinical requirements, and Six Sigma conversions.
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