Six Sigma process utilization in reducing door-to-balloon time at a single academic tertiary care center.
BACKGROUND
Rapid reperfusion in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is associated with lower mortality. Reduction in door-to-balloon (D2B) time for percutaneous coronary intervention requires multidisciplinary cooperation, process analysis, and quality improvement methodology.


METHODS
Six Sigma methodology was used to reduce D2B times in STEMI patients presenting to a tertiary care center. Specific steps in STEMI care were determined, time goals were established, and processes were changed to reduce each step's duration. Outcomes were tracked, and timely feedback was given to providers.


RESULTS
After process analysis and implementation of improvements, mean D2B times decreased from 128 to 90 minutes. Improvement has been sustained; as of June 2010, the mean D2B was 56 minutes, with 100% of patients meeting the 90-minute window for the year.


CONCLUSIONS
Six Sigma methodology and immediate provider feedback result in significant reductions in D2B times. The lessons learned may be extrapolated to other primary percutaneous coronary intervention centers.
Department of Emergency Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA. ekelly@wfubmc.edu
Elizabeth W
EW
Kelly
Jonathan D
JD
Kelly
Brian
B
Hiestand
Kathy
K
Wells-Kiser
Stephanie
S
Starling
James W
JW
Hoekstra
D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; D019091:Critical Pathways / Q000458:organization & administration*; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D009657:North Carolina; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D012040:Regional Health Planning / Q000458:organization & administration; D013997:Time Factors; D014187:Transportation of Patients / Q000458:organization & administration*; D016896:Treatment Outcome