Originally Published 5.16.2017

MAKATI CITY, Philippines - In March 2017, Shougi A. Makafi earned his Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification after reducing the average monthly incident rate of Phlebitis - the infection of veins due to highly concentrated medications or fluids; where the complications may be caused by nurses to patients when either giving medication or infusing intravenous fluids.

"As an individual, I feel confident to improve my work in different parts, and as I am promoted as regional nursing director, I may implement this tool as well in different hospitals. Also, people around me felt good and optimistic that I can improve nursing work." - Shougi Makafi, CSSGB

Based in Saudi Arabia, it's quite fascinating that Shougi intended to get Lean Six Sigma trained while visiting the Philippines. Previously having the position of "Nurse Educator", after having his Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification, Shougi got promoted to the Regional Nursing Director due to the positive outcomes of his project. Being in a higher position than before, he can now implement his learnings and projects in different hospitals in his country.

Because we want more people to be inspired by Shougi's story, we conducted a one-on-one interview with him to gather further details regarding his journey as he trained here in the Philippines, flew back to his homeland, and conducted & implemented his Lean Six Sigma Project - All the details served to you fresh from Saudi Arabia!

Q. What prompted you to take the Lean Six Sigma Workshop? 
A. It is an organized development tool that I need to improve my skills on.

Q. What Prompted you to start your project?
A. It is part of my daily work in nursing, and this project title is crucial to my work therefore I decided to use what I have learned immediately and implement it. 

Q. What was your project about?
A. There are different complications related to the insertion of an IV cannula. Phlebitis is the worst complication among them. Phlebitis is the infection of veins due to highly concentrated medications or fluids. It is a complication that nurses may cause to patients when either giving medication or infusing intravenous fluids. Although it is routine work, nurses usually forget to keep an eye on it because of work overload.

Q. What was it like for you, starting up and executing your own project?
A. The topic itself was not an issue but as I am implementing a new tool where I just learned I had some worries if I am doing it the right way but it turned out perfectly. 

Q. What were the results of your project? 
A. The results were beyond my expectations and thank god I improved it. 

Q. What was the impact of your project on your company?

A. ​Improved patient satisfaction, and reduced patient admission days where some cases extended the stay because of complications. Moreover, nurses are more aware of this complication and it is maintained with a great outcome. 

"That's one reason why companies give high value to Certified Lean Six Sigma individuals. One does not just attend a program and receive his certification but has to successfully apply and show proper use of tools and methodology with actual work processes. One has to earn his Lean Six Sigma certification,"- Rex Tuozo, “The Six Sigma Guy”

Q. What was the impact of being a certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt on you as an individual / professional?
A. As an individual, I feel confident to improve my work in different parts and as I am promoted to the regional nursing director I may implement this tool as well in different hospitals. Also, people around me felt good and optimistic that I could improve my nursing work. 

Q. What would be your message to those who are currently taking/planning to take the Green Belt Program or those who are currently conducting their own projects?
A.If you are thinking of it, don’t think too much, it is hard until you are certified but easier when you go back to your work, you will feel that there are different areas to improve in short "Just do it"

Q. Is there anything else that you'd like to share about your experience?
A. Well, what you learn in class will work as a guide but real learning is on life experience. 

To be certified in Lean Six Sigma, one has to complete an actual Lean Six Sigma project and apply process improvement tools, methodology, and techniques learned in class. "That's one reason why companies give high value to Certified Lean Six Sigma individuals. One does not just attend a program and receive his certification but has to successfully apply and show proper use of tools and methodology with actual work processes. One has to earn his Lean Six Sigma certification," Tuozo said. "If you attend our Lean Six Sigma programs, unlike other training providers, you get continuous support after the program, for no additional cost. You'll be assigned a Black Belt to help you complete your project," Tuozo added.

"If you attend our Six Sigma programs, unlike other training providers, you get continuous support after the program, for no additional cost. You'll be assigned a Black Belt to help you complete your project," –Rex Tuozo, “The Six Sigma Guy"

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