《Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice》 ›› 2017, Vol. 23 ›› Issue (7): 843-847.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1006-9771.2017.07.023

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Shortening Transfer Time of Critical Inpatients from Ward to Intensive Care Unit: Based on Six Sigma

SONG Jian-ping, FENG Yan, LÜ Min-fang, XU Jue-hua, ZHANG Yu-ping   

  1. 1. a. Nursing Department; b. Cardiovascular Interventional Center; c. Gastroenterology Ward; d. Surgery ICU, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310009, China
  • Received:2017-03-29 Published:2017-07-25 Online:2017-08-07
  • Contact: Correspondence to FENG Yan. E-mail: sjptong@126.com

Abstract: ObjectiveTo shorten the transfer time of critical inpatients from wards to intensive care unit (ICU). MethodsFrom November to December, 2015, 30 critical inpatients transferred from wards to ICU were investigated, and analyzed with Six Sigma DMAIC five-step method. There were 7 main processes and 22 sub-processes refined in transfer procedure, as well as the key quality points and the factors influencing the safety of transferring. Some improvement advice were recommended, including multifunctional transfer cart, Checklist before Transfer to Intensive Care Unit for Critical Patients, setting up transport group, training for young nurses and application of SBAR communication. Other 30 critical inpatients transferred from wards to ICU, from May to June, 2016, after the series of control programs, were investigated. ResultsAfter improvement, the total transfer time from wards to ICU decreased (t=15.052, P<0.001), without the increase of human power and unsafety issues. The rescue success rate increased from 91.67% to 98.01%. ConclusionThe process transferring patient from wards to ICU has been reengineered based on Six Sigma DMAIC management, that reduces the time and improve the rescue success rate.

Key words: Six Sigma, critical patients, transfer time, nursing, process reengineering

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