Case Study: Akron Children’s Hospital reduces NICU unplanned extubations with Minitab

Akron Children’s Hospital cuts unplanned extubations to 2 per 100 intubated days with Minitab

Akron Children's Hospital sought to reduce the rate of unplanned extubations in its neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), a common adverse event that can cause patient harm. The hospital used Minitab Statistical Software as part of a Lean Six Sigma project to analyze this challenge and verify improvements.

The Minitab solution involved using control charts and a 2 proportions test to statistically verify that process improvements, such as new communication protocols and a "two to turn" rule, were effective. As a result, Minitab helped the hospital dramatically reduce its unplanned extubation rate to meet industry benchmarks, estimated over $3,000 in annual cost savings, and allowed the team to roll out the successful improvements to other campuses.

Akron Children’s Hospital