title: Improving Initiation and Tracking of Research Projects at an Academic Health Center: A Case Study.
abstract: Research service cores at academic health centers are important in driving translational advancements. Specifically, biostatistics and research design units provide services and training in data analytics, biostatistics, and study design. However, the increasing demand and complexity of assigning appropriate personnel to time-sensitive projects strains existing resources, potentially decreasing productivity and increasing costs. Improving processes for project initiation, assigning appropriate personnel, and tracking time-sensitive projects can eliminate bottlenecks and utilize resources more efficiently. In this case study, we describe our application of lean six sigma principles to our biostatistics unit to establish a systematic continual process improvement cycle for intake, allocation, and tracking of research design and data analysis projects. The define, measure, analyze, improve, and control methodology was used to guide the process improvement. Our goal was to assess and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of operations by objectively measuring outcomes, automating processes, and reducing bottlenecks. As a result, we developed a web-based dashboard application to capture, track, categorize, streamline, and automate project flow. Our workflow system resulted in improved transparency, efficiency, and workload allocation. Using the dashboard application, we reduced the average study intake time from 18 to 6 days, a 66.7% reduction over 12 months (January to December 2015).
authors.affiliation: 1 The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.affiliation: 1 The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Goros
authors.affiliation: 1 The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Helen M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Parsons
authors.affiliation: 2 The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Can
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Saygin
authors.affiliation: 2 The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Hung-Da
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Wan
authors.affiliation: 1 The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA.|3 South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Paula K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Shireman
authors.affiliation: 1 The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Jonathan A L
authors.initials: JAL
authors.lastname: Gelfond
mesh_terms: D000046:Academic Medical Centers / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D006801:Humans; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D058996:Quality Improvement / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017749:Total Quality Management / Q000458:organization & administration*; D057188:Workflow; D016526:Workload
keywords: R shiny; academic biostatistics units; lean six sigma; project tracking; web-based dashboard