Application of Six Sigma and Quality Function Deployment (QFD) To Design Vertical Blood Bag Lifting Devices

Abstract

This research study aimed to reduce wasted time in centrifugation through blood bag lifting devices. Six Sigma were implemented to improve an operational process; there are 5 Six Sigma steps, including Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control. Moreover, Quality Control Tools together with Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) were applied to analyze the causes of failures. As a result, the Risk Priority Number (RPN) was used to identify the failure causes of a case study on the Blood Component Preparation Section in Srinagarind Hospital. The staff at this section had to lift blood bags weighing 12 kilograms per time. The finding showed that a cumulative failure frequency of wasted time in lifting blood bags was 288-300 kilograms per day. After the improvement of the process, the amount of wasted time in lifting blood bags decreased by 95%. The use of vertical blood bag lifting devices could improve the efficiency of the staff by 90%.