The Improvement of Hospital Food Service in Quality and Customer Satisfaction by Using 6-sigma Strategy

6시그마 기법을 통한 병원 급식 서비스 품질 개선 및 환자 만족도 향상

This study was performed to improve the hospital food service in quality and customer satisfaction by using 6-sigma strategy which was processed by DMAIC methods. The research procedure was as follows; analyzing the main causes of customer dissatisfaction of food service by using numerical method, and then finding out the standardized problem solving methods, and finally reforming food service process. The effectiveness of 6-sigma activity was measured by ‘food service quality index’, ‘customer satisfaction index’ and ‘total food service satisfaction index’. Food service quality index was calculated by adding grade of soup temperature, food service, delivery time, and setting accuracy. Statistical data analyses were completed by using the Minitab Ver. 14. By performing 6 sigma activity, food service quality index was increased from 67 to 79 points (p<0.05) and customer satisfaction index also rise from 73 to 79points (p<0.05). Satisfaction of meals’ taste, diverse menu, food setting accuracy, remove of food service, overall food service were significantly improved(p<0.05). The results of capability analysis in food service quality index, customer satisfaction index, and total food service satisfaction index were improved 2.11$\sigma$ to 2.49$\sigma$, 1.88$\sigma$ to 2.43$\sigma$, and 2.04$\sigma$ to 2.47$\sigma$ respectively (p<0.05). Therefore this study showed that subjective food service improving process could be measured by objective numerical value which might be used for financial value in hospital management.