What is the Quadruple Aim?

In 2008, Don Berwick, Thomas Nolan, and John Whittington (Institute for Healthcare Improvement) first described the “Triple Aim” as simultaneously improving population health, improving the patient experience of care, and reducing per capita cost. Two years later (2010) MiHIA was selected to participate in the Triple Aim framework, translating for our communities successfully navigating the transition from a focus on health care to optimizing health for individuals and our population by focusing on three dimensions:

Improving the patient experience of care (including quality and satisfaction), known as Patient Experience

Improving the health of populations, known as Population Health

Reducing the per capita cost of health care, known as Cost of Care

In June 2016, the MiHIA Board of Directors held its annual strategic planning session to review progress made towards the five key priority areas within the 2015-2017 Strategic Business Plan, and the initiatives tied to each priority. This process and review was to ensure that the MiHIA priorities are appropriately connected to our overarching mission and vision. The current federal and state healthcare environmental elements were evaluated, including overall capacity and resources, as well as the landscape of the region to determine our strategic objectives for the next year and beyond. The Board recommended, and approved, a modification to the mission and vision, incorporating a fourth facet in our aim, revising the MiHIA focus to include the Quadruple Aim:

Improving the work life of health care providers, clinicians and staff, known as Care of the Provider

We have incorporated this fourth aim with the understanding and belief that organizations who take better care of their people will develop a massive competitive advantage; happier, healthier providers deliver higher quality care, with better patient satisfaction and are more engaged in their organizations.

The regional-focused Quadruple Aim initiative is based on a core belief that solutions to national problems - like health care - can be found and designed at local  levels. For the individual health care consumer, this translates to outcomes of better culture, better care, better health, and lower costs

 

Benefits for the Region

In most health care settings, multiple entities are jointly  accountable for improving all four dimensions of the Quadruple Aim.  MiHIA's multi-stakeholder involvement in this important initiative provides direct and indirect benefits to the area and its residents.

MiHIA’s designation as a Triple Aim participant, and the visibility associated with the Quadruple Aim provides the potential to position central Michigan communities for additional grants, financial support and health research dollars.

In addition, robust and thriving health systems across the region lead to:

• Increased appeal for business growth
• Decreased health care burden on employers, state and local budgets, and individuals
• Improved quality of life for citizens
• Healthier and more productive communities
• Enhanced ability for health systems and providers to meet tough health reform challenges for improved quality and cost containment/cost reduction