Institute for Healthcare Improvement: Setting Aims

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Setting Aims

The first step in reducing surgical site infections (SSIs) is making a solid commitment to improve care. This commitment should be reflected in a strong and well-worded aim statement that sets an aggressive goal. It is critical that the overall aim reflect a goal to reduce SSIs significantly, in a measurable way and in a specified time frame. For example, an organization wishing to make a real commitment to reducing SSIs should set an aim stating: Double the number of surgical cases between SSIs by 50 percent within 13 months.

Senior leaders should be involved in setting the aims, to ensure that the aims are aligned with the organization's strategic goals. When senior leaders approve the aims, they should also make a commitment to give the team whatever support is needed to achieve those aims.

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

Examples of Effective Aim Statements

The following aim statements are from the recently completed collaborative sponsored by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, which focused on reducing and preventing SSIs. Note that the overall aim is outcome oriented, with specific numeric goals for the care processes. The timeframe for reaching all goals and the aim was 13 months. An organization typically has several teams working on more than one goal at a time, but they should all report to one oversight team.


	AIM: 1. Double the number of surgical cases between SSIs. 2. Achieve 100% compliance with appropriate selection and timing of prophylactic antibiotic administration: 100% of patients will have antibiotic prophylaxis initiated within one hour prior to incision 100% of patients will be given prophylactic antibiotics consistent with published guidelines 100% of patients given prophylactic antibiotics will have those antibiotics discontinued within 24 hours after surgery.



How to Improve Forming the Team Establishing Measures Selecting Changes Testing Changes