Lean six sigma to reduce medication errors in hospitals

Medication errors are one of the primary causes of patient mortality and morbidity and a costly problem in hospitals. Although healthcare organizations have endeavored to reduce medication errors by using several tools and techniques, this issue still remains. It is important for healthcare sectors to employ an appropriate process excellence methodology to reduce the number of medication errors which will save costs and quality of care. Lean and Six Sigma are two of the most powerful process improvement methodologies widely adopted by many international companies today. The authors argue that these methodologies are equally applicable in reducing errors within the medication process. Both Lean and Six Sigma use appropriate tools from their toolboxes to improve medication process. This paper will present the benefits, challenges, and tools and techniques of Lean and Six Sigma in reducing medication errors. The paper is valuable for healthcare practitioners and professionals as a guideline to achieve the optimal benefit of Lean and Six Sigma implementation to reduce medication errors. Moreover, the paper also provides a greater awareness for senior managers and medical directors in hospitals about the role of Lean Six Sigma and its associated tools and techniques in tackling medication errors.