Lean Six Sigma Methodologies Reduce Red Blood Cell Transfusions by 32 percent in a Tertiary Medical Center

Evidence-based guidelines now support restrictive red blood cell transfusion practices to enhance patient safety and reduce costs while maintaining or improving patient outcomes, including all-cause mortality. Using Lean Six Sigma process improvement methodologies, a 500-bed tertiary medical center reduced RBC transfusion rates by 32 percent, speeding treatment delivery, decreasing adverse transfusion reaction risk and producing $2.8 million in annual cost savings. No associated negative patient outcomes were identified. Through a modern hospital blood stewardship program, the regional community also benefits through reduced demand pressure on increasingly scarce blood resources.

This case study is part of the Illinois Hospital Association's annual quality awards. Each year, IHA recognizes and celebrates the achievements of Illinois hospitals in continually improving and transforming health care in the state. These hospitals are improving health by striving to achieve the Triple Aim--improving the patient experience of care (including quality and satisfaction); improving the health of populations; and reducing the per capita cost of health care.

Award recipients achieve measurable and meaningful progress in providing care that is:

• Safe
• Timely
• Effective
• Efficient
• Equitable
• Patient-centered

(The Institute of Medicine's six aims for improvement.)