Peter B. Southard

A survey of online e-banking retail initiatives

Customer demand is forcing banks to provide their services online. There are two successful paths they can take: to grow, or to specialize in providing localized services and information.

RFID in healthcare: a Six Sigma DMAIC and simulation case study

PURPOSEnThe purpose of this paper is to develop a business model to generate quantitative evidence of the benefits of implementing radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, limiting the scope to outpatient surgical processes in hospitals.nnnDESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACHnThe study primarily uses the define-measure-analyze-improve-control (DMAIC) approach, and draws on various analytical tools such as work flow diagrams, value stream mapping, and discrete event simulation to examine the effect of implementing RFID technology on improving effectiveness (quality and timeliness) and efficiency (cost reduction) of outpatient surgical processes.nnnFINDINGSnThe analysis showed significant estimated annual cost and time savings in carrying out patients surgical procedures with RFID technology implementation for the outpatient surgery processes in a hospital. This is largely due to the elimination of both non-value added activities of locating supplies and equipment and also the elimination of the return loop created by preventable post operative infections. Several poka-yokes developed using RFID technology were identified to eliminate those two issues.nnnPRACTICAL IMPLICATIONSnSeveral poka-yokes developed using RFID technology were identified for improving the safety of the patient and cost effectiveness of the operation to ensure the success of the outpatient surgical process.nnnORIGINALITY/VALUEnMany stakeholders in the hospital environment will be impacted including patients, physicians, nurses, technicians, administrators and other hospital personnel. Different levels of training of hospital personnel will be required, based on the degree of interaction with the RFID system. Computations of costs and savings will help decision makers understand the benefits and implications of the technology in the hospital environment.

A modified Delphi methodology to conduct a failure modes effects analysis: a patient-centric effort in a clinical medical laboratory.

In this article, we describe the use of an information-gathering tool, the Delphi technique, to overcome issues encountered when conducting a Failure Modes Effects Analysis as part of a Define, Measure, Analyze, Implement, Control study to improve the processes of a clinical medical laboratory. The study was conducted with the goals of reducing medical errors in the Total Testing Process (TTP) in order to improve patient safety, patient satisfaction, and improve the overall quality of the health care services provided by the subject hospital while meeting its Joint Commission (JC) accreditation requirements. The study found that the Delphi technique was very useful in overcoming 4 barriers encountered in conducting a Failure Modes Effects Analysis in a hospitals clinical medical laboratory and in achieving those goals.

Extending product profiling through simulation

Manufacturing strategy literature continues to be split between process and content. Content has continually evolved and more precise applications have been developed. Process has lagged behind because of the difficulty in conducting research in this area. Little has been developed since the introduction of the product profiling mechanism. This study presents a methodology that extends the product profiling technique, resulting in more appropriate content recommendations. Two case examples, one manufacturing operation and one service operation, are provided to demonstrate the improved performance of the product profile when combined with simulation. In both cases, problem symptoms caused the organization to seek help in scheduling operations. Cursory study clearly indicated that neither organization had a scheduling problem, but rather, an improper relationship between the marketing and operations functions of the organizations. In both cases, it was possible to demonstrate, with product profiling, the lack of coordination between the marketing and operating functions of the organizations. Product profiling alone, however, was not sufficient to convince either organization to implement proper solutions. When changes were supplemented with a graphical simulation analysis, both organizations agreed with the recommendations and began implementing change.

Transitioning operations to accommodate growing pains in evolving companies: an application of product profiling to a service company

As businesses progress through their organizational lifecycle, many experience growing pains associated with increased volume, product line breadth, personnel, and the complexity associated with managing larger businesses. It is essential that the company have the ability to recognize these and develop methods of dealing with them if they expect to survive. While many authors address the area of how to grow in terms of marketing, product development and financing and, while they note that there are risks to rapid growth, little information is available on how to recognize trouble spots, analyze them and accommodate them. The product profile is a management tool that helps decision‐makers to identify problems that have evolved through time and to identify impending opportunities on the horizon. Discusses the advantages of adapting product profiling to services to identify and accommodate growing pains and then provides an example of its successful use by a service company.

Telemedicine: determining "critical to quality" characteristics for a healthcare service system design based on a survey of physical rehabilitation providers

Purpose: This study examines the key attributes of telemedicine from the healthcare providers perspective and to show how telemedicine may impact healthcare service delivery. Methodology: The study was based on a review of current telemedicine/ telehealth research and the analysis of data from a survey of healthcare professionals/providers in the physical rehabilitation sector. Using a six-sigma process development approach that identified critical-to-quality characteristics, the study identified specific telemedicine characteristics that healthcare service providers in the physical rehabilitation sector saw as being useful and essential. Findings: Empirical data from the survey indicated the application of telemedicine technologies can assist in making the delivery of healthcare services more efficient while maintaining the same high quality of service. Contribution: This study aided in determining what specific functions and capabilities healthcare providers would prefer to see in a telemedicine enabled service system design to achieve improved cost and time savings for both the patient and the provider. In view of the specialized area from which the data was obtained, healthcare providers were interested in viewing their patients in real time, communicating with them, and gathering relevant vital signs and treatment data meant for use in emergency and daily routine notifications and consultations.

Toy trains and history lessons: teaching your passion

Teaching well involves bringing a certain amount of enthusiasm into the classroom each time class begins. One way to accomplish this formidable task is to take those areas for which the instructor already has a great deal of passion and translate them into experiences and lessons that can be shared with students. This paper describes one way to translate the passion for something as eclectic as a personal hobby and using it as a teaching tool.