Using Lean Six Sigma to Improve Delayed Intracranial Hemorrhage Screening in a Geriatric Trauma Population.

Using Lean Six Sigma to Improve Delayed Intracranial Hemorrhage Screening in a Geriatric Trauma Population.

Birmingham Lauren E; Sedorovich Ashley; Mann Nolan; George Richard L

Quality management in health care

2018

2018-12

PURPOSE: Geriatric trauma patients taking preinjury anticoagulant or antiplatelet (ACAP) medications are at greater risk for delayed intracranial hemorrhage (DICH), a rare but potentially life-threatening condition. Routine repeat head computed tomography (RRHCT) scans can identify DICH. Our objective was to decrease the rate of missed RRHCT in a level 1 Midwest trauma center geriatric minor trauma population on preinjury ACAP medications. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the quality improvement project was to identify the root cause of the missed RRHCTs and to implement a comprehensive solution to reduce rates of missed RRHCTs. METHODS: Medical records from before and after the intervention were evaluated. Frequencies and percentages were calculated. In addition, chi and logistic regression were utilized. The Lean Six Sigma (LSS) DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control) process was used to drive process improvement. RESULTS: At baseline, 15% (41 of 267) of RRHCTs were missed. After solution implementation, missed RRHCTs dropped to 4% (2 of 50). Of the 2 that were missed, zero were clinically inappropriate misses, making the postimplementation rate effectively 0%. CONCLUSION: The LSS DMAIC process helped health care professional to facilitate improved adherence to the department's practice guideline with respect to RRHCT. Adherence with this guideline can help providers identify patients with DICH, a potentially life-threatening condition.

Aged; Anticoagulants – Therapeutic Use – In Old Age; Chi Square Test; Descriptive Statistics; Guideline Adherence; Human; Intracranial Hemorrhage – Diagnosis – In Old Age; Logistic Regression; Midwestern United States; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors – Therapeutic Use – In Old Age; Quality Improvement; Record Review; Tomography; Trauma – Therapy – In Old Age; X-Ray Computed – In Old Age

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