Deployed warrior medical management center: A Lean Six Sigma approach

With the advent of the Global War on Terror, a large portion of the United States military is now deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. When soldiers are wounded in these theaters, they are transported to the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. Upon arrival, the Deployed Warrior Medical Management Center (DWMMC) ensures that patients receive treatment and are quickly returned to duty or to the US for further medical care. The DWMMC was created in response to the increase in casualties and is still evolving. Although the process has been refined over time, there are still improvements that can be made in the in-processing of patients. By increasing the efficiency and accuracy of in-processing patients, the DWMMC will ensure that patients are treated sooner and therefore reach their follow-on destination sooner. Applying lean six sigma techniques to the DWMMC in-processing system will lead to a more efficient operation with less waste. Specifically, inefficiencies in communication and redundant work are evident. Refining this process will result in more efficient treatment of soldiers, which will ultimately benefit the US Military.