3.9 Knowledge Check

1. What are the four key components of a well-written AIM statement?
2. Which of the following is the most complete AIM statement?
   1. "Improve mental health care for adolescents."
   2. "Reduce ED wait times."
   3. "Increase the percentage of pediatric ED patients receiving a behavioral health consult from 40% to 80% by December 2025."
   4. "Help more kids access behavioral health services this year."

1. How does an AIM statement support the other two Model for Improvement questions?

Knowledge and Awareness

1. A strong AIM statement includes: (1) what you are trying to accomplish, (2) the specific population it applies to, (3) a measurable, numeric target, and (4) a timeframe for reaching it.
2. C) “Increase the percentage of pediatric ED patients receiving a behavioral health consult from 40% to 80% by December 2025.” — it names the population, a measurable target, and a timeframe.

Application

A clear AIM statement gives the team a specific, measurable target to aim for, which makes it possible to choose meaningful measures (how will we know a change is an improvement?) and to focus change ideas (what change can we make?) on actions that will actually move that specific target, rather than working on general or unfocused improvement activity.