Ask the expert: What does Six Sigma refer to?
HIM Connection, June 26, 2007
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A: Six Sigma is a structured way of thinking of any process--such as coding a medical record or assembling a car. It is a systematic approach to problem-solving that improves performance by helping to identify wasteful tasks and quality problems.
Six Sigma identifies the following seven areas of waste:
- Overproduction--performing more work than is necessary
- Inventory--excess work-in-progress
- Rework or rejects--performing tasks that have already been completed
- Motion--needless movement of people
- Processing--analyzing information to perform a task
- Waiting--delay between when one process ends and the next begins
- Transporting--needless movement of materials, products, or information
Editor's note: This question and answer was adapted from a recent JustCoding.com article in which one facility shared its experience with Six Sigma and how it used the principles to reorganize its HIM department. For more information, click here.
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