(ASQ: Milwaukee, Wisconsin) -- Improved care and increased patient satisfaction are primary objectives in today’s competitive health care environment. The American Society for Quality is introducing a new lean Six Sigma Black Belt for health care course to address those objectives. The five-month session will provide participants with the skills to improve delivery of care while at the same time reducing costs throughout the health care facility.

The lean Six Sigma Black Belt for health care course, January 7 through May 19, 2008, is offered in a new format that blends real-time, instructor-led, virtual, and face-to-face sessions and self-paced Web-based training (from MoreSteam) with audiocasts and coaching. The classroom component will take place at ASQ headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

“This comprehensive Black Belt training opportunity is a response by ASQ to a critical need in health care,” says Paul Borawski, ASQ executive director and chief strategic officer. “The blended format is uniquely suited to the 24/7 lifestyles of many health care professionals.”

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