The Primary Target of Triple Aim

In an effort to improve healthcare and make it more cost-effective, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) developed an approach they coined “Triple Aim.” Intended as a framework, Triple Aim outlines an approach to optimizing healthcare performance through the focus on three target areas. Since its inception, this has served as a guiding principle for many healthcare organizations.

3 Targets of the Triple Aim Approach

• Improving the patient experience of care (including quality and satisfaction)
• Improving the health of populations
• Reducing the per capita cost of healthcare

Organizations that adopt the Triple Aim approach are thought to have healthier populations because they focus on establishing programs that identify problems and solutions well before an acute health incident. It’s no coincidence that the first element of Triple Aim focuses on improving the quality of the patient experience— something that is heavily reliant upon effective and proactive patient engagement.

Studies show a direct correlation between patient engagement levels and positive health outcomes. There is also evidence that activated patients experience lower overall costs due to prevention and minimizing the need for crisis intervention. This positions the patient experience as the primary target of Triple Aim, as when executed properly population health and reduced cost naturally follow.

Does the patient experience at your organization promote good engagement?

There are many definitions of a “good” patient experience but what they all share is effective communication. Successful organizations have internal processes in place that support good communication with patients. Do patients have a good understanding of care instructions and the services available to them? Are there outreach programs in place for care follow-up and routine scheduling? How easy is it for patients to contact your office with questions about care, symptoms, or prescriptions? Optimized performance for a health system starts with patient access.

Envera provides comprehensive engagement partnerships for organizations seeking to improve their patient access experience. From patient activation to service marketing campaigns, we offer dedicated Patient Access Coordinators and the support of the latest industry technology to support the unique needs of your patient populations.