SPC monitors operations of processes and outcomes within a system to see if they are capable of meeting requirements as well as to see if they are “in control.” As you continue to examine the output from SPC, what might a health care administration leader gain from understanding Xbar, R, and S charts? These measures are important for helping to guide decision making and to promote quality and effective health care delivery in health services organizations.
For this Discussion, review the resources for this week regarding control charts. Then, reflect on how your health services organization, or one with which you are familiar, might use the control chart to evaluate whether a process is in control.
NOTE: For this Discussion, you will be required to run the SPSS
software platform.Post a description of one of the control charts presented in the resources and explain a process where it might be used. Be specific and provide examples. Then, create the appropriate control chart for the process you described using fictitious data. Attach this chart to your discussion. Do not use real data. Explain whether the process you chose is under control or not, and explain why.
NOTE: As an example, you might choose Xbar and S charts to monitor monthly patient satisfaction scores for your hospital. Then you would generate random data and plots using SPSS.
RESOURCES:
Ross, T. K. (2014). Health care quality management: Tools and applications. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
- Chapter 6, “Statistical Process Control for Monitoring System Performance” (pp. 217–264)
Fretheim, A., & Tomic, O. (2015). Statistical process control and interrupted time series: A golden opportunity for impact evaluation in quality improvement. BMJ Quality & Safety, 24(12), 748–752.
U.S. Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology. (n.d.). NIST/SEMATECH e-handbook of statistical methods. Retrieved April 5, 2016, from http://www.itl.nist.gov/div898/handbook
- Chapter 6.3.1, “Control Charts”
- Chapter 6.3.2, “Variables Control Charts”
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
Statistical Process Control (SPC) is an essential tool used in the healthcare industry to ensure that processes and outcomes meet the necessary requirements. One of the key components of SPC is control charts, which are used to monitor and evaluate the performance of a specific process over time. In this discussion, we will explore the different types of control charts and how they can be used in a health services organization.
One of the control charts presented in the resources is the Xbar chart. This chart tracks the average value of a process over time. It is useful for detecting any shifts or changes in the mean value of the process. One example of how this chart can be used in a health services organization is to monitor the average wait time for patients in the emergency department.
To create an Xbar chart for this process, we would first need to gather fictitious data on the wait times for patients over a specific period, such as a week or a month. We would then calculate the average wait time for each day and plot these values on the Xbar chart.
Next, we need to determine if the process is in control or not. If the chart shows that the average wait time is consistent and within an acceptable range, then the process is under control. However, if there are any unusual or out-of-control patterns, this could indicate a problem with the process that needs to be addressed.
In conclusion, the Xbar chart is a valuable tool that can be used in a health services organization to monitor the performance of a specific process, such as patient wait times. By using SPC and control charts, healthcare administration leaders can make informed decisions and promote quality and effective healthcare delivery.
