Reducing Infections Using Lean Six Sigma

Mission accomplished, but the work continues. At Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center in Lafayette, La., a Lean Six Sigma workgroup set a goal to reduce central line-associated bloodstream infections by 20% in 2014. A multidisciplinary team of physicians and staff from across the medical center—including the emergency room, lab, ICU, quality and infection control, and leadership—identified three focus areas to reduce CLABSI rates: central line insertion; dressing change and line maintenance; and specimen collection. The team reviewed best-practice guidelines and used Lean Six Sigma methodology to gather baseline data and evaluate processes. As a result, in 2014 Our Lady of Lourdes surpassed its goal and reduced CLABSIs by 50%. Because of this initiative, staff now discuss central access devices daily in care coordination rounds, and devices are removed when no longer indicated. In addition, dressing change and line maintenance audits are performed several times a week on all patients with CADs. Units receive monthly updates on their overall performance. The units that meet their designated central line device utilization ratio goals are recognized.

For more information, contact William F. “Bud” Barrow, president and CEO, at william.barrow@fmolhs.org or Cecile Broussard, director of performance improvement, at cecile.broussard@lourdesrmc.com. Our Lady of Lourdes is a participating hospital in HEN 2.0, working to reduce inpatient harm and avoidable readmissions.