Kauvery Hospital Journey on Winning National Level CII QC Competition Against the Industrial Sectors

Dr Augustine Sylvesterstallone A

Executive – Business Excellence, Kauvery Group of Hospitals, India

*Correspondence: businessexcellence.group@kauveryhospital.com

Introduction

On the 27th of April 2023, the KHO unit achieved a momentous feat by winning the National award in the 35th CII Quality Circle Conventional National Finals held at the Alcor Hotel in Jharkhand. This achievement was the result of a challenging journey that began with 203 teams and 16 industries all striving towards a common goal winning at the national level. Despite the intense competition, the KHO team displayed exceptional teamwork, determination, and alongside with support and guidance of the Business Excellence Team they emerged victorious with a remarkable triumph. This accomplishment not only reflects their dedication and hard work but also highlights the commitment of Kauvery Hospitals to Excellence in healthcare.

The Roadmap

In the third quadrant of 2022, the Business Excellence Head at Kauvery Hospitals received an invitation from the Chairman’s office to participate in the CII QC competition. The Business Excellence team worked with group leaders and coordinators to identify the best projects across group level that would demonstrate the hospital’s commitment to Excellence.

The 1stproject aimed at “Reducing the Turn Around Time (TAT) in Food and Beverage services” at KCH unit. A Team Led by Mr. Subash, Mr. Doss, Ms Alveena

while the 2nd project aimed “To reduce the incidence of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP)” at KHO. A team led by Dr. Alisha, Mr. Vishnu, Ms. Mamtha, Ms Kanimozhi and Ms. Megala

The both teams were guided by Mr Dhanasekar Sundaramoorthy AGM – Head of Business Excellence

The 3rd project focused on “Reducing the use of high-end antibiotics in Clinical Wards” at KTN. team led by Ms. Mahalakshmi, Ms Suganaya, Ms Anandhi, Ms Keerthana and Ms Sathiya and guided by Mr Sowmesh Chandran of the Business Excellence Team.

With these projects in place, Kauvery Hospitals was ready to showcase its Excellence in Healthcare and compete at the highest level.

Once the teams were finalized, the Business Excellence team took the initiative to review their respective presentations and provide support in enhancing their presentation skills. They suggested various Quality Control (QC) steps and statistical tools help the teams deliver impactful presentations. The teams were given valuable feedback and guidance to improve their content, structure, visuals, and overall delivery. The Mr Dhanasekar Sundaramoorthy and Mr Sowmesh of the Business Excellence team worked closely with the teams, ensuring that their presentations were standard up and aligned with the competition’s requirements

State Level

On September 23rd Sep 2023, the State-level competition took place at the Crown Plaza in Chennai. Kauvery Hospitals participated with three teams, representing the Service sector category, among a total of 39 teams from 16 industries including Automobile, Process, and Service sectors. The competition was fierce and highly competitive. However, both the KHO and KTN units showcased their exceptional skills and dedication, securing the first and second place, respectively and also earned the opportunity to advance to the regional level, where they would compete against other sectors top-performing teams.

Regional Level

A month prior to the regional-level competition, the selected team members were coordinated and instructed to upgrade their presentation based on the feedback received from the state-level juries. The Business Excellence team recognized the importance of continuous improvement and provided the team members with the necessary guidance and training. They focused on strengthening their skills in using powerful problem-solving tools, such as advanced Why-Why Analysis. The team members diligently incorporated the feedback and applied their enhanced knowledge of Tools and clinical clarifications to refine their presentations. This proactive approach aimed to maximize their chances of success at the upcoming regional-level competition.

The regional level competition took place on 8th February 2023, in virtual and as well as direct the KTN team went on virtual competition and the KHO team went to a direct face-off at Radha Feathers Hotel in Chennai. Both the KHO and KTN teams participated in this highly anticipated event, where they faced off against 35 teams from various sectors across the Southern Region. The competition was exceptionally fierce, with teams vying for the top spot. To further intensify the challenge, a jewellery company even entered the competition with real diamonds, raising the stakes even higher. Despite the tough competition, the KHO team showcased their exceptional skills and dedication, ultimately emerging as the victorious team. Their remarkable achievement led them to secure a place among the top 10 teams from the southern region, earning them the opportunity to compete at the national level.

National Level:

Following the conclusion of the Regional-level competition, the KHO team organized a meeting with the Business Excellence team to discuss their performance and gather insights for further improvement. Based on a comprehensive observation study conducted after upgrading their presentation with Introduction 3G Concepts – Gemba (actual work place), Gen jitsu (actual situation) and Gem Butsu (ideal state) benchmarked from Automobile industry. These concepts provided a framework for analysing the gap between the current situation and the desired state of their project. Furthermore, the meeting highlighted several key observation points that needed attention in their presentation. The collaboration between the KHO team and the Business Excellence team aimed to refine their approach, address any weaknesses, and ensure that their National Level presentations would be even more impactful and effective.

Just a few days after the regional level competition concluded, an email arrived from the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) announcing that the National finals would be held in Jamshedpur (State: Jharkhand), Recognizing the significance of this opportunity, the KHO team received unwavering support from the top management. With special approval from Dr. Vijay Bhaskaran S, Mr. Josh Varghese Joy and support from Mr. Dhanasekar Sundaramoorthy, the team’s flight travel was arranged, ensuring their timely and hassle-free journey to the National finals. Additionally, the entire KHO unit rallied behind the team, providing the much-needed mental support and encouragement. This united effort demonstrated the commitment and solidarity within Kauvery Hospitals, reinforcing the team’s determination to excel at the national level competition.

On the 27th April 2023, the highly anticipated National competition took place at the Alcor Hotel in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand. A total of 45 teams representing all four regions of India (North, West, East, and South) participated in the event. Amongst these esteemed competitors, the Kauvery Hospitals’ Hosur unit team proudly represented the hospitality and service care sector. Their unwavering dedication and commitment paid off, as they emerged as the winners in the 35th CII National Level Competition. This remarkable achievement is a testament to the team’s hard work, integrity, and relentless pursuit of Excellence in Healthcare. Their success showcases the strength and capability of Kauvery Hospitals in delivering Excellence Performance.

Testimonial

Mr. Dhanasekar – AGM, Head of Business Excellence (Group)

As someone with a background in the Industrial sector, I understand the challenges that come with Competing on Quality Control Circles (QCC) in the Service sector. However, the performance of KCH, KTN, and KHO teams in the initial State level competition pleasantly surprised me.

Winning a National award in the Service sector is not an easy piece of cake. It requires relentless hard work, dedication, and a strong belief in continuous improvement. The achievement of the KHO team in securing the National award is a testament to their exceptional efforts and unwavering commitment to excellence. It serves as an inspiration to others in the Service sector and demonstrates that with perseverance and a focus on continuous improvement, remarkable accomplishments can be attained.

Mr. Joshvarghese – Senior General Manager & Operations Head, KHO Unit

The Quality Circle process is a systematic approach followed by employees within the same department to develop effective problem-solving solutions. These projects are often submitted for evaluation in various competitions, and Kauvery Hospital in Hosur is immensely proud to have been awarded the 1st prize in the prestigious Quality Circle Competition at the National level.

This achievement was the result of the unwavering dedication and hard work exhibited by our exceptional team, who consistently performed exceptionally well at each stage of the competition. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to every member of the team for this remarkable accomplishment, which they truly deserved. Our unwavering commitment to enhancing quality initiatives has been acknowledged and celebrated, bolstering our determination to continue delivering top-notch healthcare services to society.

We are already esteemed as the best healthcare provider, and this recognition further motivates us to maintain our high standards. Additionally, I would like to express my gratitude to our Managing Director and Executive Director for their constant support and

encouragement, without which this achievement would not have been possible.

Mr. Vishnu – Nursing Super Intendent, Hosur

Everyone harbours dreams of achieving something significant in their professional lives, and I too, aspire to find a platform that can help me grow and develop. Fortunately, I found an exceptional platform through the CII competition. Participating in this competition and playing a role in our team’s success has been the most remarkable experience of my life. It is with deep gratitude that I acknowledge our top management for providing us with this invaluable opportunity. I would also like to extend a special thanks to Mr Dhanasekar Sundaramoorthy for their unwavering support, guidance and backing us on all the huddles throughout our Quality Circle Competition journey.

This competition has left an indelible mark on my time at Kauvery, and it will forever remain a cherished memory in my professional life.

Ms. Mamtha – Executive Quality, Hosur

Receiving the National level QCC award organized by CII is an immense source of honour and humility for our team. This prestigious recognition is a testament to the unwavering dedication and tireless efforts we have put into improving the quality and efficiency of our processes. We are deeply grateful to our management for their unwavering support and guidance throughout our journey. Additionally, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to CII for providing us with the platform to showcase our achievements and learn from the best practices of other esteemed organizations. This award serves as a powerful motivation for us to continue our pursuit of excellence and innovation in the realm of quality control. I attribute our success to the unwavering motivation and dedication of our team, as well as the exceptional support provided by the Mr Dhanasekar Sundaramoorthy and Dr Augustine their hard work, guidance, leadership, and support have played a pivotal role in our accomplishments, and I take great pride in being a part of such a motivated and supportive team.

Ms. Kanimozhi – Clinical Educator, Hosur

Vanakkam! I am Kanimozhi, a Clinical Educator at Kauvery Hospital, Hosur. My understanding of 5S and Problem Solving Techniques deepened significantly after joining Kauvery Hospital. Participating in the Quality Control Circle (QCC) has been a continuous learning process for me and my team.

We initially started by participating in the Group Level QCC Competition, where we honed our QCC tools and techniques based on the valuable feedback provided by the judges. Subsequently, we took part in the ABK-AOTS QC Competition, which elevated our QC presentations to a whole new level. It allowed us to unlearn and relearn the deeper meaning of QC. The confidence gained from these competitions prepared us for the CII – State Level QCC Competition, where we emerged as the winners in the Service & Hospitality Sector. We diligently worked on the feedback received from the state-level competition judges and incorporated advanced tools into our QC project. As a result, we were selected among the top 10 teams proposed for the National Level Competition. We made necessary corrections based on the observations from the regional-level judges.

At the National Level, we delivered a confident presentation and had a strong feeling that we would succeed. The judges were impressed with our project and praised us. For the first time, we received no observation points, and we proudly became the winners in the Hospitality & Service Sector at the National Level. It is a significant achievement for us as we were the first team to participate at the National level and the first team to secure a victory. Being a part of this tremendous accomplishment was an immensely proud moment. I extend my gratitude to the Business Excellence team, who provided unwavering support throughout this CII Journey. Thank you!

Dr Alisha – Intensivist, Hosur

I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the Kauvery management and Dr Vijay Bhaskaran for providing me with the opportunity to participate in this competition. Their support and belief in me have been invaluable. I am particularly thankful to Dr. Gayathri Incharge and Dr. Sreenivasan HOD of Dept Anaesthesiology, for their constant encouragement and for being the pillars of support during my lowest moments. I am also indebted to all our consultants for their guidance and expertise. A special thanks goes to my team members, Mr. Vishnu, Ms. Mamatha, and Ms. Kanimozhi, and Business Excellence Head Mr. Dhanasekar Sundamoorthy for Training me in QC steps & Tools. The success we achieved is a result of our collective hard work and dedication.

Participating in the QC competition proved to be a significant experience for me, despite my late entry into the team. As a post MBBS graduate, I am still in the process of learning and refining my skills. This opportunity allowed me to discover additional ways to enhance the quality of care I provide to my patients. I realized the importance of scrutinizing even the minutest details, as addressing them appropriately and promptly can minimize the potential for severe outcomes. It was a valuable lesson that will undoubtedly shape my approach to patient care moving forward.

The guidance and support provided by all the individuals at Kauvery have created a sense of belonging and family for me. Knowing that I have a team of people I can consistently rely on has been an incredible source of comfort and reassurance. Whether it’s the management, the department heads, the consultants, or my fellow colleagues, their presence has made me feel supported, encouraged, and valued. The bond we share extends beyond professional collaboration, as it encompasses a genuine care for one another’s well-being.

I am grateful to have found such a nurturing and supportive environment that feels like a second family to me.