Six sigma project
Back Ground Information
Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Hospital has been a leader in quality care since the 1930s, by serving, honoring, providing care to the men and women who are America's Veterans. We have upgraded the facility and improved technology to meet the needs of our veterans better- we are now excited to introduce a first-ever check-in kiosk.
Define Phase
Problem Statement
Poor usage of innovation technology and complaints of long lines and long wait times which lead to external customer dissatisfaction and internal customer pressure.
Business Case
The delay affects the customer's gratification, institutional status in the waiting area of the hospital corrective actions from higher authorities in reply to client criticisms and puts extra pressure on internal clients.
Goal Statement
New system to reduce Veteran Check-in Wait time faster and easier
To create KIOSK enthusiasm and grow confidence by increasing users' understanding of its functionality, purpose, and benefit.
To introduce the Kiosk, increase users' understanding, improve patient satisfaction by reducing wait time and offering greater convenience and privacy.
improve the kiosk check-in by 20% within the 90 days.
Aim: Within 90 days, MEDVAMC Emerging VA Leaders , will introduce the self-check-in kiosk, increase users understanding of its functionality purpose and benefits , improve patient satisfaction by reducing wait time and improve the kiosk check-in by 20%.
Project Scope
The process starts with the patient arrive to the clinic and end when the patient is seen by provider
· Start with areas that have high number of repeat patients
· Start with check in and payments, then add functions as desired
· Use a greeter during initial rollout
· Place the kiosks in an obvious location
· Enable as many languages as you reasonably expect to use
· System selectin
Freestanding kiosk and countertop kiosk
Select Team
Director Michael E. DeBakey Veteran Affairs Hospital
Six ambassadors
Four actors
Four graphic designers
Three people from volunteer services
Select Team:
Sponsor (Adam Walmus, MEDVAMC Director (2014) )
· Valerie Williams, Education/ EVAL coordinator
· Joycelyn Westbrook
· Larry Wilkerson
· Kendra Price-Mayes
Team member/ Project Facilitator: Aslie Burnett
· Natalie Delahoussaye
· Merisha Freeney
· Gregory Austin
· Karl Murray
· Shauna Babers
· Grant Lenued
· Chakita James
· Tonya Hackney
· Katress King
· Sharice Easterling
· Diana Pham
· Shirley Collins
· Rickey Reed
Project Plan
Define phase 5/01/2014 to 5/31/2014
Measure phase 04/01/2014 to 04/31/2014
Analyze step 03/01/2014 to 03/31/2014
Improve stage 04/01/2014 to 05/01/2014
Control phase 06/01/2014
Voice of the customers: Focus Group
· Surveys: were done with 98 patients from the 100 surveyed cases to estimate self-check-in awareness level, check in experience, successful check-ins, timeliness of check in process, and why they used the kiosk.
· Kiosk interactions report: how many people successfully used and checked in via kiosk
A team was formed to survey customer in each three areas (Dental , Dermatology, and Eye).
CTQ’s
SIPOC Analysis and Map Chart…
Measure Phase
During my career, I have consistently used a results-driven approach to handling all aspects of my responsibilities. At this time, I was a member of the emerging V.A. Leaders; our Team was required to complete a lean management project for facility improvement. The coordinator of the program wanted us to improve the process in 90 days. I was delegated as the facilitator over this initiative failure was not an option, I knew that we could meet this goal, but only if we worked together as a team instead of individually
Flow chart of current process
Sample:
Data collection plan :
Appendix 1
Focus group protocol
Section 1:
MEDVAMC KIOSK SURVEY
Michael E. DeBakey VAMC is working on a research project to understand how patients experience using the new kiosk in the waiting area. The results of this survey will help us provide better care to patients.
• Please take a moment to fill out this short questionnaire so we can better serve you as a patient in the future. • Your answers are anonymous, which means that they cannot be traced back to you in any way. • Your doctors and nurses will not see your answers. • Taking part in this study is voluntary. This means that you can choose whether or not to fill out the survey. • You do not have to answer any questions you do not want to answer. When you finish the survey, please put it in the drop box by the front desk or hand it to a greeter.
• If you have questions about the kiosk, please contact Aslie Burnett at ext. 28576.
How comfortable did you feel using the kiosk? (check one)
· Very comfortable
· Comfortable
· Somewhat comfortable
· Not very comfortable
· Not at all comfortable
Were you aware of the new self-service check in option (check one)?
Yes or No
How comfortable were you with the privacy level offered by the kiosk?
· Very comfortable
· Comfortable
· Somewhat comfortable
· Not very comfortable
· Not at all comfortable
Why did you use the kiosk for today’s visit?
________________________________________________
What did you like about using the kiosk? _________________ ____________________________________________________
Were you able to successfully check in to the kiosk?
Yes or No
Is there anything else you would like us to know about your experience with the kiosk? _____________________________ ____________________________________________________
Did the greeter in the waiting room improve your experience with using the kiosk? ! Yes ! No If YES, please explain how___________________________ ___________________________________________________
When you finish the survey, please put it in the drop box by the front desk. Thank you!
Data collection plan (PDSA model)
Analyze phase
· Test Theory
Root cause is identified:
At the end of the analysis phase:
· Patient who checked in with receptionist were interviewed to learn about their awareness level of the new self-service check in option
· Patients who checked in with a kiosk were asked about their experience using this tool.
· The vast majority of member who checked in using the kiosk has a successful experience with over 75 percent of members feeling that checking in through kiosk is faster than check in through a receptionist
· About 60 percent of members report that the reason they used the kiosk was because the line was shorter
· More than 90 percent of members who used a kiosk to check in are able to do so successfully without needing any assistance and the same number also report that they felt comfortable with level of privacy it offered by the kiosk.
· Kiosk interactions report: how many people successfully used and checked in via kiosk was more 44%
Improvement Phase
Choose remedy: The team sit together after analyzing phase and brainstorm: Redesigning of the check in process. By implementing self-service check in.
Belief in accuracy of information content , convenience regarding both location and time available, and ease of use.
· Improving efficiency
· Providing secure access
· Improving patient experience
As patient check-in kiosks find their way into healthcare facilities and hospitals across the country, they're improving efficiency, providing secure access to patient information, and improving the overall patient experience all through a versatile and accessible self-service solution. From check-in to check-out, there's no denying that technology has and will continue to revolutionize and transform the healthcare field
So, we have one theory to examine
The delay because of waiting at the file room (remove) this doesn’t have anything to do with the project need to come up with Theory.
We targeted three piolet areas dental, dermatology, and eye clinic. We prepared a T.V. message, trifold pamphlets, and signage for the kiosk implementation, rather than assigning the project in chunks and relying on people to complete their tasks from start to finish. I utilized a spreadsheet to break my Team up based on each person's strengths and talents.
· We were able to increase the kiosk check-in by 44% within the deadline.
· Reduce the wait time by 60 % and increase patient satisfaction by 91%
· Increase user understanding by 85%
1. Control
To ensure the improvements had long-term results. Now it is hospital measurement that requires the frontline staff to utilize the vet link/ kiosk check-in system. Overall, this benchmark was
successful. During our presentation to the VISN, the MEDVAMC EVAL ranked #1
System Selection
· Choose a kiosk with the physical site in mind.
· Considering more than one Kiosk per department.
· Take the benefit of branding openings.
Deployment
· Start in areas with high numbers of frequency.
· Start with check-in/ insurance verification.
· Use a greeter during the initial rollout.
· Choose a prominent and convenient location.
· Enable as many languages as reasonable.
Policies and Procedures
· Make use of the patient kiosk optional.
· Assign essential oversight responsibilities.
Target Audience
· Older Veterans
· Younger veterans
Strategic Analysis
Advantages
· Labor reductions
· Wait time reduction
· Convenience
· Customization
· Visual impaired
Disadvantages
· Initial Cost
· Software Development
· Maintenance
· Space constraints
· Employees not trained on Vet Link software
· Employee refusal to utilize the Kiosk
Best Practices for Implementing Kiosk
System Selection
· Select a kiosk with the physical location in mind.
· Considering more than one Kiosk per area/department.
· Take advantages of branding opportunities
Deployment
· Start in areas with high numbers of frequency.
· Start with check-in/ insurance verification.
· Use a greeter during the initial rollout.
· Choose a visible and convenient location.
· Enable as many languages as reasonable.
Policies and Procedures
· Make use of the patient kiosk optional.
· Assign basic oversight responsibilities
3 Ways of Marketing KIOSK
· Instructional Video
· Pamphlets
· Signage
Marketing Plan:
· Educational Television
· VA Publications
· Pop-up sign
· A sign affixed to KIOSK
· Guerilla Marketing
· Quarter review of the marketing plan
Execution Timeline
Month 1 - Increase kiosk check-in by 5-10%
Month 2 - Increase kiosk check-in by 15%
Month 3 - Increase kiosk check-in by 20%
Kiosk Check-In's Transactions
· Dental Clinic
· Dermatology Clinic
· Eye Clinic
Kiosk Interactions
Our Entire Team was praised for the hard work and in designing a plan to increase patient satisfaction and utilize innovative technology.
If I had a chance to do something differently, when we were almost through with the project, I realized that there was an area that I overlooked. Our focus was leaning towards attracting a more significant number of clients from the target populations we had recently identified. Still, we were doing very little to prepare the employees for the increased workload and to help them work well together, supporting one another through the transition.
I would have recruited more volunteers to help with this initiative and, I would have held a meeting/training seminar for employees who were affected by the transition
New Flow chart :
Step 5: Control
Closing Summary
The plan is to create confidence and enthusiasm by showcasing our new method of checking in veterans. Through increase visibility, education, and repetitive instruction, the KIOSK Check-in will be the premier innovation for veterans' access to care.
Kiosk Interation March
Kiosk Interaction by Kiosk Date Range: 03/01/2014 to 03/31/2014 Interactions Houston Dental Houston Dermatology Houston Eye 376 525 518 Kiosk Interaction by Kiosk Date Range: 03/01/2014 to 03/31/2014 Transactions Houston Dental Houston Dermatology Houston Eye 388 532 526
Kiosk Interaction April
Kiosk Interaction by Kiosk Date Range: 04/01/2014 to 04/31/2014 Interations Houston Dental Houston Dermatology Houston Eye 489 684 675 Kiosk Interaction by Kiosk Date Range: 04/01/2014 to 04/31/2014 Transactions Houston Dental Houston Dermatology Houston Eye 493 693 684
Kiosk Interaction May
Kiosk Interaction by Kiosk Date Range:5/01/2014 to 5/31/2014 Interations Houston Dental Houston Dermatology Houston Eye 670 938 926 Kiosk Interaction by Kiosk Date Range:5/01/2014 to 5/31/2014 Transactions Houston Dental Houston Dermatology Houston Eye 679 965 947