title: Rethinking behavioral health processes by using design for six sigma.
abstract: Clinical evidence-based practices are strongly encouraged and commonly utilized in the behavioral health community. However, evidence-based practices that are related to quality improvement processes, such as Design for Six Sigma, are often not used in behavioral health care. This column describes the unique partnership formed between a behavioral health care provider in the greater Pittsburgh area, a nonprofit oversight and monitoring agency for behavioral health services, and academic researchers. The authors detail how the partnership used the multistep process outlined in Design for Six Sigma to completely redesign the provider's intake process. Implementation of the redesigned process increased access to care, decreased bad debt and uncollected funds, and improved cash flow--while consumer satisfaction remained high.
authors: Mr. Lucas and Ms. Primus are with Allegheny HealthChoices, Inc., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (e-mail: alucas@ahci.org ). Dr. Kovach is with the Department of Information and Logistics Technology, University of Houston, Houston, Texas. Dr. Fredendall is with the Department of Management and the Institute for Advancement of Health Care, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina. Lisa B. Dixon, M.D., M.P.H., and Brian Hepburn, M.D., are editors of this column.
authors: Anthony G
authors: AG
authors: Lucas
authors: Kelly
authors: K
authors: Primus
authors: Jamison V
authors: JV
authors: Kovach
authors: Lawrence D
authors: LD
authors: Fredendall
mesh_terms: D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D009939:Organizations, Nonprofit / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D014495:Universities