The mapping of processes in the quality management of a hospital lactation center

Vigil Sanit Debate, Rio de Janeiro, 2023, v.11: e02146 | Published on: 26/10/2023

Abstract

Introduction: Infant formulas can be an adjuvant or therapeutic measure for the recovery of hospitalized children when breastfeeding is impossible or contraindicated. Thus, the activities in the lactation room should be performed under strict aseptic techniques, aiming to provide the child with food with less risk of contamination. Knowledge and control of the processes involved in the preparation of infant formulas are essential
for effective monitoring of the quality of the product produced and indispensable for improving the quality management of a hospital lactation center. Tools can support the quality management, being the mapping of the processes one of them. To collect information from the processes to be mapped, the SIPOC Matrix, used worldwide, appears as an alternative, as it allows the visualization of all the interrelationships within a process. Objective: To map processes identified in the manipulation of infant formulas packed in baby bottles and propose opportunities for improvement to the lactation center of a National Institute of Health. Method: To identify the processes involved in the manipulation of infant formulas, observation was performed for 2 days. For the mapping of the processes, the SIPOC Matrix was produced; then, processes were designed using the Bizagi® software. Results: 27 processes were identified in the handling of infant formulas. With the mapping, 04 opportunities for improvement were perceived: contingency plan for lack of water; contingency plan for cooling; use of sterile bottles and development of meeting schedule with multiprofessional teams. Conclusions: Certainly, the mapping of processes using the Bizagi® tool was a challenge faced in this work, because it is new in the field of Nutrition. The main contribution of this study was to show that the mapping enabled the detailed observation of the processes involved in the handling of infant formulas, allowing for the identification of opportunities for improvement, highlighting that this methodology can be perfectly used in other care and production services.