Statistical process control: an approach for continuous quality improvement in automotive SMEs - Indian case study

Author(s):  
Jigar A. Doshi ◽  
Darshak A. Desai
Author(s):  
T.E. Moongo ◽  
S. Michael

SYNOPSIS Electrowinning consumes a substantial amount of electrical energy, and owing to the ever-increasing unit cost of electrical power there is a need to improve current efficiency in the process. This research was carried out to design a continuous quality improvement framework for improving electrowinning current efficiency by applying statistical process control (SPC) on an online industrial copper electrowinning operation. A sequential mixed research methodology was applied and a statistical software package utilized for analysing data. It was concluded that metallurgical short-circuits (hotspots) had the most significant effect on current efficiency. Bringing hotspots under statistical control resulted in a 5.40% improvement in current efficiency, which is equivalent to approximately 74 t of 99.999% pure grade A copper cathode production over a period of 1.5 months. Keywords: quality, continuous improvement, continuous quality improvement, statistical process control, and current efficiency.


2021 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 539-547
Author(s):  
Heather A. Wolfe ◽  
April Taylor ◽  
Rajeev Subramanyam

Food Control ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 289-297 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nigel P. Grigg ◽  
Jeannette Daly ◽  
Marjorie Stewart

2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (8) ◽  
pp. 633-642 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rikke von Benzon Hollesen ◽  
Rie Laurine Rosenthal Johansen ◽  
Christina Rørbye ◽  
Louise Munk ◽  
Pierre Barker ◽  
...  

BackgroundA safe delivery is part of a good start in life, and a continuous focus on preventing harm during delivery is crucial, even in settings with a good safety record. In January 2013, the labour unit at Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, undertook a quality improvement (QI) project to prevent asphyxia and reduced the percentage of newborns with asphyxia by 48%.MethodsThe change theory consisted of two primary elements: (1) the clinical content, including three clinical bundles of evidence-based care, a ‘delivery bundle’, an ‘oxytocin bundle’ and a ‘vacuum extraction bundle’; (2) an implementation theory, including improving skills in interpretation of cardiotocography, use of QI methods and participation in a national learning network. The Model for Improvement and Deming’s system of profound knowledge were used as a methodological framework. Data on compliance with the care bundles and the number of deliveries between newborns with asphyxia (Apgar <7 after 5 min or pH <7) were analysed using statistical process control.ResultsCompliance with all three clinical care bundles improved to 95% or more, and the percentages of newborns with pH <7 and Apgar <7 after 5 min were reduced by 48% and 31%, respectively. In general, the QI approach strengthened multidisciplinary teamwork, systematised workflow and structured communication around the deliveries. Changes included making a standard memo in the medical record, the use of a bedside whiteboard, bedside handovers, shared decisions with a peer when using an oxytocin infusion and the use of a checklist before vacuum extractions.ConclusionThis QI project illustrates how aspects of patient safety, such as the prevention of asphyxia, can be improved using QI methods to more reliably implement best practice, even in high-performing systems.


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