Case Study Health Care - Redo Assignment

Running Head: STATISTICAL THINKING IN HEALTH CARE 1

STATISTICAL THINKING IN HEALTH CARE 6

Statistical Thinking in Health Care

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Statistical Thinking in Health Care

Introduction

Juan and Ben are worried about the frequent emergency of problems associated with prescription accuracy. Juan is under pressure from the healthcare administration to solve the problem, or he is fired from the health center as the pharmacy manager. Also, the numerous complaints in connection with pharmacy prescription have earned him lawsuits that are threatening his career. Ben had just completed a course on statistical thinking and Juan wants him to apply the knowledge to solve the issues. According to Esposito, a pharmacist in any given busy healthcare organization can fill up to 25 prescriptions. Therefore, the process might experience inaccuracies such as wrong medication dispensation, improper dosing instructions, and the most detrimental, drug interaction mix up in instances where new drugs are prescribed to the patients.

The pharmacy prescription issues can be solved through the utilization of the statistical thinking which analyses the mistakes done before and predict their probability of happening again to provide them with a solution. The statistical thinking is developed through statistical engineering, the study of utilization of statistical concepts, methods, and tools with the integration of information technology and relevant essential sciences to improve the results (Hoerl & Snee, 2012). One needs to understand the business process as the first step of strategical thinking which will help them in understanding the relationship between their performance and the whole process and thus realize the importance of their roles.

This paper is a case study aimed at assisting Ben and Juan in developing a process map on the medical prescription-filling for the HMO’s pharmacy analyze the HMO’s business process, analyze the process map and use SIPOC model to identify possible causes of the problem (Hoerl & Snee, 2012). Also, the paper will categorize the issues as either special cause or common cause and suggest the primary tool, and the required data for analysis of the business process for correction of the problem. Lastly, a solution proposition to the problem will be made that will solve the current challenge and a strategy to measure that solution.

HMO’S pharmacy process map

Figure 1 shows a process map for the prescription filling process

Pharmacy receives patient’s prescription

Contact prescribing physician

Print script label and review

Remove meds from inventory and package

Are prescriptions correct? y/n

Check the meds against their labels

Prepare and distribute meds to patient

The review of the prescription filling process above reveals existing issues. First, there is inaccurate processing of medical prescriptions. For instance, the patients can be prescribed wrong medicines if the prescription goes past the review process. Also, the patient might receive erroneous dosing instruction. The second problems could arise on packing medics where the pharmacist wrongly check the label before packing. Therefore, it is essential to double-check the medication on pulling them from the inventory and ensure the right labels are attached to the medicine.

Analysis of the process map and SIPOC to identify the primary problem causes

The elements of the SIPOC model are: supplier, inputs, process steps, outputs, and customers. The SIPOC shows us that the interpretation is as follows:

Suppliers – the model's suppliers are physicists

Inputs – the inputs are written prescription

Processes - the processes include label printing, correct medicine verification, and packaging

Outputs – distribution of medicine to the patients

Customer – customers are the patients in need of medication.

The review of the process map and the SIPOC model reveals inaccurate prescription processing. It is therefore important for the pharmacist to run the prescription against a checklist to find if they are correct. Wrong labelling is another primary issue identified which cause wrong medication prescription. Therefore, the creation of an additional layer of protection which allows the scripts inspection by the management.

Tools and data used for analysis and correction of the problem

Use of a check sheet for verification of completion for each step in the process before the medication packaging is the solution for the prescription. Also, the check sheet will be used to point out errors in the process that requires a document explanation in case the prescription rework.

The job aid also could be utilized in addition to the checklist who can help with easing the complex task and provide references information at the employee fingertips that they otherwise have to look up (Page, 2016) repeatedly. Also, a monthly accuracy on these aids should be conducted. Lastly, the pharmacist should have records on the combination of drugs that have adverse reactions if they are consumed together.

HMO pharmacy’s problem solution and its measurement strategy.

The best and effective solution to the HMO pharmacy is a continued pharmacist professional development (CPD) training that will give them skill on the prescription transcribing and the use of technology to review medication orders. The improvement measurement shall be accessed on the reduction in inaccurate prescription complaints.

A monthly working process shall be implemented which requires the pharmacists to complete an online course which its primary goal is to equip them with new skills. The hours shall be recorded and reviewed by the management and stored in personal files that the management keep. The course will be provided through online, classroom learning, and on a job training workshop format. This method is the most effective Proven method. According to McConnell, Delate, & Newton, 2016, a pharmacist with CPD hours portrays a higher accuracy rate as compared to those who do not take part in the program.

References

Esposito, L. (2014, July 3). How to Deal With Prescription Mistakes | For Better | US News.

Retrieved October 29, 2016, from http://health.usnews.com/health-news/patient-

advice/articles/2014/07/03/how-to-deal-with-prescription-mistakes

Hoerl, R., Snee, R. D. (2012-04-09). Statistical Thinking: Improving Business Performance, 2nd

Edition. [VitalSource Bookshelf Online]. Retrieved from

https://strayer.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781118236857/

McConnell, K. J., Delate, T., & Newlon, C. L. (2015). The Sustainability of Improvements from

Continuing Professional Development in Pharmacy Practice and Learning Behaviors.

American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 79(3), 1-8.

Page, S. (2016). The Power of Business Process Improvement : 10 Simple Steps to Increase

Effectiveness, Efficiency, and Adaptability. New York: AMACOM.