The analysis of COVID-19's Effects on Emergency Department-LOS using LSS approach and Machine Learning

Using the Lean Six Sigma methodology, specifically the DMAIC cycle, the impact of COVID 19 on patients' duration of stay in the Emergency Department (ED-LOS) of Santa Maria della Pietà, located in Nola, Italy, was investigated. Despite having originated in the manufacturing sector, LSS is now widely used in a variety of areas, such as healthcare, finance, and services. According to the findings, ED-LOS increased significantly in 2020 (the COVID19 year) as opposed to 2019 (the year before COVID19). In both datasets, Machine Learning algorithms show that age is the main predictor. It is considered that the new protocols implemented by the hospital management are the main cause of the trend.