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Setting Aims

Model for Improvement An aim is an explicit statement summarizing what your organization hopes to achieve. Your aim statement should also be time-specific and measurable. The aim and selected measures should be "stretch goals," not achievable in the current system of care. The aim should include specific actions to implement the six components of the Chronic Care Model and define which patients and providers will participate.

For more information and general tips on setting aims, see Improvement Methods.

Click here for more information and general tips on Forming the Team, Establishing Measures, Selecting Changes, or Testing Changes.

Examples of Effective Aim Statements

 

 

Diabetes:

Aim Example 1:

The organization will redesign its system to provide improved care for our patients with diabetes.  We will accomplish this through implementation of the Chronic Care Model.  This will be evidenced by:

  • At least 90 percent of our patients receiving two HbA1cs, three months apart, within one year
  • An average HbA1c less than 7.0
  • At least 70 percent of our patients with documented self-management goals
  • At least 75 percent of our patients 55 years and older with current prescriptions for ACE Inhibitors or ARB medication
  • At least 70 percent of our patients with blood pressure less than 130/80

Population of Focus:  The population of focus will be all the patients in Dr. Jones' practice (approximately 100). New patients identified with diabetes will be added as they come into the practice and/or are initially diagnosed.

Guidance:  The organization will develop and maintain a registry of all 100 of our patients with diabetes.  We will focus initially on patient self-management methods and delivery system design. Once the changes have been implemented, the other physicians and physician assistants and their panels will be included.

 

Aim Example 2:
Our organization will delay and decrease complications from diabetes, redesign self-management, decision support, and delivery system, and become a center of excellence in our community.

Goals:

  • 90 percent of patients with two HbA1c's, three months apart, in 12 months
  • 70 percent of patients with a self-management goal
  • 95 percent with lipid profile annually
  • 70 percent with LDL < 130
  • 95 percent assessed for smoking
  • 100 percent of smokers counseled to stop

 

Asthma:

Aim Example 1:

Implement components of the Chronic Care Model to show a 40 percent increase in symptom-free days, 50 percent decrease in ER visits. 90 percent of patients with persistent asthma will be treated with antiinflammatory meds, and at least 90 percent of patients will have a written asthma action plan.

 

Aim Example 2:

An organizational approach to caring for the population of patients with asthma will be implemented using the Chronic Care Model so that there is 90 percent of patients with persistent asthma being treated with maintenance anti-inflammatory medications. At least 90 percent of clients with asthma will have an asthma flow sheet and action plan in their chart. 50 percent of clients with asthma will have an asthma trigger avoidance plan.

 

Depression:

Aim Example 1:
We will redesign the care system for patients with depression.  Using the Chronic Care Model as a guide, we will integrate depression screening and follow-up into our primary care processes.  By doing this we hope to achieve the following results: 80 percent of our patients who are newly diagnosed with depression will have a follow-up assessment within six weeks; the percentage of patients with a diagnosis of depression with a PHQ score less than five will increase to 65 percent.

 

Aim Example 2:

The organization will redesign the system of care to provide improved care to our patients with depression. We will accomplish this by making changes in the following areas:

  • We will define a plan to support management of chronic diseases.
  • We will establish partnerships with resources identified in the community.
  • Documentation in the medical record will reflect an assessment (utilizing a nationally recognized scoring tool), a treatment plan, and a self-management plan.
  • Staff education remanagement of chronic diseases will be provided for all relevant health center members.
  • The improvement team will monitor and report on all activities related to the collaborative efforts.
  • Management of information/support will be evaluated with a goal to assure all relevant stakeholders receive information necessary to meet the standards of the Chronic Care Model.


 


Featured Tool

Perfection-Level Goals and Promises to Patients Worksheet: A worksheet to guide teams in setting goals that make a difference to patients.