Affiliations: Opus College of Business, University of St. Thomas,
Minneapolis, MN, USA
Note: [] Correspondence: Prof. Sameer Kumar, Opus College of Business,
University of St. Thomas, Mail # TMH 343 1000 LaSalle Avenue Minneapolis, MN
55403-2005, USA. E-mail: skumar@stthomas.edu
Abstract: Delivery of care during diagnosis and on-going treatment of
childhood strokes, which impact 1 in 4000 live births, is not standardized and
relies on both parents and medical professionals to be aware of stroke and
stroke symptoms in order to ensure timely care. This system does break down due
to the reliance on individuals. The research study utilizes Six Sigma quality
approach to determine current state of service delivery from the perspective of
parents or guardians within the U.S. and propose solutions to minimize errors
in diagnosis and treatment of childhood strokes. The authors of this study
researched non-pharmacological treatments of childhood strokes. This study
surveyed parents or guardians of children who had strokes and found areas of
improvement. One major finding of the survey was that only 39% of children
received a referral to a specialist when stroke symptoms were initially
reported. Proposed solutions were derived from analysis of the survey data from
parents or guardians in the U.S., which helped in labeling current gaps in the
system and devising poka-yokes for error proofing the system.
Keywords: Childhood stroke, service delivery of care