The implementation of Six Sigma at Decatur Memorial Hospital has saved millions of dollars and dramatically improved patient satisfaction. The hospital reports that 10 months after it installed patient-safety technology software from Omnicell Inc., it was more than $2 million under budget in its drug department and $750,000 under budget for pharmacy labor. Six Sigma identified 132 steps in the hospital’s patient drug-delivery system; 42 were eliminated through subsequent automation projects using Omnicell solutions. In addition, the hospital reduced the time it takes to dispense and administer drugs to patients from 186 minutes to 104 minutes.

“Medication errors have dropped 70 percent, with very few of the more serious med errors,” says Ron Wolschlag, director of the hospital’s pharmacy. “Our nurses are much happier with the new system because it makes them much more efficient and gives them more time for patient care.”

Decatur Memorial Hospital is located in central Illinois, and has 350 beds. It can be found on the Web at www.dmhcares.com. For more information, visit www.omnicell.com.

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