IHA case studies

Lean Six Sigma Reduces Fall Rate by 54% in an Inpatient Psychiatric Unit in a Tertiary Medical Center

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Patient falls during hospitalization can lead to increased inpatient care costs, decreased patient satisfaction, an increase in unnecessary tests and treatments, longer lengths of stay, functional decline, disability and death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the average hospital cost for a fall with injury is $17,500. During fiscal year 2013, the fall rate in the medical center’s inpatient psychiatric unit increased to 5.40.

The project goal was to reduce the fall rate to 3.23, the top quartile of performance for behavioral health according to the National Database for Nursing Quality Indicators. Using Lean Six Sigma improvement methodologies, the inpatient psychiatric unit was able to reduce its fall rate from 5.40 to 2.49.

This case study is part of the Illinois Health and Hospital Association's annual Quality Excellence Achievement Awards. Each year, IHA recognizes and celebrates the achievements of Illinois hospitals and health systems in continually improving and transforming health care in the state. These organizations 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—and the Institute of Medicine’s six aims for improvement—safe, effective, patient centered, timely, efficient, and equitable. To learn more, visit https://www.ihaqualityawards.org/javascript-ui/IHAQualityAward/

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