Abstract
This chapter describes a case study in a community-based acute care hospital that was able to successfully reduce the Computed Tomography (CT) utilization in their Emergency Department by 8.7 % for 1 year, and 13.8 % since the prior 2-year period. The reduction was especially important because 10 % of the U.S. population gets a CT scan each year, and use of CT imaging is growing more than 10 % per year, and with it, increased long-term exposure can increase potential cancer risks. The cross-functional team applied the Six Sigma methodology and tools to define the problem, measure the current state, identify root causes, and develop medical research-based and evidence-based CT guidelines to reduce CT utilization. The information presented in this case study is not designed or intended to provide medical advice or recommendations.
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Furterer, S.L. (2014). Appropriate Use of CT Scan in the Emergency Department. In: Lean Six Sigma Case Studies in the Healthcare Enterprise. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-5583-6_7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-5583-6_7
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