Application of Lean Six Sigma to Examine the Effects of Pandemic on Emergency Department Stay Time

Length of Stay (LOS) is one metric used to assess how well healthcare procedures are performing. Given its importance, a number of studies have used sophisticated mathematical techniques. This paper examined the effect of COVID-19 on ED-LOS, which was recognized as Critical to Quality (CTQ) analysis of Penisola Hospital (Italy), using an LSS philosophy, and more specifically the DMAIC cycle. In particular, a statistical comparison between data from 2019 (before the COVID-19 pandemic) and 2020 (during the epidemic) will be made. The results of the study suggested that the number of hospital admissions in the year in which COVID became widespread is significantly reduced, especially for less urgent and therefore minor cases. The added value of this paper is the use of a Lean Six Sigma (LSS) approach to examine the effects of COVID-19 on First Aid (ED). In this way, significant results are obtained that will provide support to doctors for the management of departments, optimizing hospital flows. The study limits are time interval and sample of reduced data.