How To Control Your Blood Sugar Using

Lean Six SigmaProject Storyboard Example

Operational Definitions

• A1C: Measure of the average blood glucose control over the past 3-4 months. The ideal range is <6%

• Blood Glucose Level: Measure of the amount of sugar in the blood at the time of testing. Normal pre-meal is 70-130 mg/dl

• Exercise Calories: Measure of the calories expended in a day in excess of a sedentary day

• Glycemic Index: Ranking of foods based on their immediate effect on blood glucose levels

• Type II Diabetes: Condition where either the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin

Project Wins

• Improved daily average blood sugar from 205 mg/dl to 125 mg/dl.

• There was a 10 lb weight loss, and a loss of 2” in pants size

• The A1C reading measurement is a median of the past 120 days. A confirming A1C test is scheduled for the end of March. Baseline A1C was 8.1, the current is 7.6 and the desired is <6.

Project Results Summary

DMAIC Approach• Reviewed Voice of the Customer (VOC) and various

methodologies on how to best control blood sugar with Type II Diabetes

• Utilized past A1C measures to establish baseline

• Analyzed data; the AM reading were higher than PM readings

• Researched best activities for Blood Sugar control and proposed increase muscle activity

• Maintained results with fitness and training plan

Define Phase

• Attempting to control Type II diabetes with medications and diet has been unsuccessful

• Problem Statement: Blood sugar levels range from 200-220, they should be less than 135

• Goal: Increase physical activity to reduce average blood sugar levels to 100-135 or an A1C of <6

Measure Phase

• Baseline data collected from previous A1C tests, measurements indicated 2-3 month Blood Sugar average and 210 was used as the starting baseline

• Data obtained from historical register of a glucose meter

• Data was filtered by rounding to the nearest multiple of 5 to create a meaningful baseline data

Baseline Data Collection Form

Analyze Phase• The following charts were used to analyze the data and support

described tendencies:

• The histogram indicates the process essentially out of control.

• A scatter plot of the “data by day” displayed no apparent trend or relationship.

• A scatter plot of the “data by the hour of the day” indicated some trends.

• A Box and Whisker plot of the data comparing the AM and PM readings revealed the AM readings were more consistent. The PM plot indicated there was a potential for a successful improvement plan.

Baseline Data Charts

Improve Phase• What Was Learned?

• AM and PM readings indicated that the amount and type of activity had a direct effect on the Blood Sugar Level.

• What Was Accomplished?

• Activity would be the best and most measurable option in improving the process.

• 30-40 minutes of exercise with a heart rate of at least 150 BPM, plus 10- 20 minutes of resistance weight training.

Improvement Data Charts

Control Phase

• After the initial 30 days a decrease in the amount of exercise was attempted to determine if the trend would be maintained with less effort.

• It was determined that 5 days of exercise per week was required, allowing for two days of rest to maintain the blood sugar levels at the desired range.

Control Phase Next Steps

• Develop a program that includes medications, diet and exercise. The inclusion of exercise allows the body to transfer sugar from the blood to the muscles, increasing the body’s insulin-sensitivity.

• Maintain the plan and obtain a desired result. The viability and level of these reductions will not be known for another 4 months.

Get Project Details

For the full project details, visit our website: https://goleansixsigma.com/how-to-control-your-blood-sugar-using-lean-six-sigma/

Start Improving Today.Get your free Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt Training by visiting

goleansixsigma.com/free-lean-six-sigma-training/

Register For Your Free Lean Six Sigma Training