title: Improving laboratory data entry quality using Six Sigma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The Uganda Makerere University provides clinical laboratory support to over 70 clients in Uganda. With increased volume, manual data entry errors have steadily increased, prompting laboratory managers to employ the Six Sigma method to evaluate and reduce their problems. The purpose of this paper is to describe how laboratory data entry quality was improved by using Six Sigma.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Six Sigma Quality Improvement (QI) project team followed a sequence of steps, starting with defining project goals, measuring data entry errors to assess current performance, analyzing data and determining data-entry error root causes. Finally the team implemented changes and control measures to address the root causes and to maintain improvements. Establishing the Six Sigma project required considerable resources and maintaining the gains requires additional personnel time and dedicated resources.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After initiating the Six Sigma project, there was a 60.5 percent reduction in data entry errors from 423 errors a month (i.e. 4.34 Six Sigma) in the first month, down to an average 166 errors/month (i.e. 4.65 Six Sigma) over 12 months. The team estimated the average cost of identifying and fixing a data entry error to be $16.25 per error. Thus, reducing errors by an average of 257 errors per month over one year has saved the laboratory an estimated $50,115 a year.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Six Sigma QI project provides a replicable framework for Ugandan laboratory staff and other resource-limited organizations to promote quality environment. Laboratory staff can deliver excellent care at a lower cost, by applying QI principles.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This innovative QI method of reducing data entry errors in medical laboratories may improve the clinical workflow processes and make cost savings across the health care continuum.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Core Laboratory, Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University-Johns Hopkins University, Kampala, Uganda. aelbireer1@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Elbireer
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Le Chasseur
authors.forename: Brooks
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jackson
mesh_terms: D002984:Clinical Laboratory Information Systems / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D006801:Humans; D019300:Medical Errors / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017064:Process Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration*; D058996:Quality Improvement / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014454:Uganda; D057188:Workflow