AIM

1. Aim Statements and
Project Charters
Rebecca S. (Suzie) Miltner, PhD, RN,
CNL,NEA-BC
Associate Professor
UAB School of Nursing

2. Learning Objectives
Identify the key elements of an effective aim
statement.
Develop an effective aim statement.
Understand the use of project charters
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3. Aim Statements
An aim statement is a written, measurable,
and time-sensitive description of the
accomplishments that the team expects to
make from its improvement efforts.
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4. Aim Statements
What happens if we don’t have an aim
statement?
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5. 5

6. Aim Statements
An aim statement is a written, measurable, and time-
sensitive description of the accomplishments that the
team expects to make from its improvement efforts.
 Ensures everyone on the team is on the same page.
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7. Global versus Specific Aims
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8. Samples of Aim Statements
Decrease overall O/E mortality at UAB Hospital by
10% by March 1, 2016
Decrease O/E mortality at UAB Hospital for CAP by
20% by March 1, 2016
Decrease observed mortality at UAB Hospital for CAP
by 20% by March 1, 2016
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9. Example: Global vs. Specific Aim
 Global Aim: to improve outcomes for asthma
population across pilot practices through
comprehensive “system” redesign, with 90% of
population well-controlled and 90% of
population receiving “optimal” care by
December 31, 2010.
 Specific Aim: to implement AAP/CQN
encounter form at point of care across 100% of
practice’s asthma population by June 30, 2010.

10. Global Aim
Statement,
Process Map,
Specific Aim
Statement
(from TDI)

11. Make sure you are aligned….
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Mission/
Vision
• Improve the health of citizens of
Alabama
Global
Aim
• Best in class for patient experience
Specific
Aim
• Wait time < 5 minutes in Cardiology
Clinic

12. Aim Statements
To increase mobility for inpatient medical
surgical patients by 50% within 6 months.
We will increase ambulation by 50 % in
appropriate medical surgical patients to
maintain mobility within 6 months of project
start time.
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13. (Highly) Structured Aim Statements
 The aim is to improve the quality and value of
(name the process).
 The clinical care process starts with (name start
point) and ends when (name end point).
 By working on this, we expect to: (name the
better results).
 It’s important to work on this now because (list
strategic, practical reasons).
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14. Example of a Highly Structured Aim
Statement
 The aim is to improve the quality and value of maintaining
mobility in medical/surgical patients.
 The process begins on admission and ends at hospital
discharge.
 By working on this, we expect to maintain the patient's
baseline mobility at discharge and decrease the incidence
of DVTs, falls, hospital acquired pressure ulcers.
 It is important to work on this now because it 1) costs the
organization for post-hospitalization PT services, 2)
increases risk of re-hospitalizations, 3) increases risks of
HAC such as pressure ulcers and falls, 4) 60%+ of patients
become deconditioned after 2 days of bed rest, and 5) there
are other risks to immobility include DVT, pneumonia,
aspiration, and increased discomfort.
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15. Aim Statements
 There are different ways to write an aim statement….the
most important point is to write one!
 A SMART one!
Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Relevant
Timely
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16. Components of Aim Statements
Your team’s aim statement should be
consistent with the mission of the improvement
work and include:
 What is expected to happen
 The system to be improved
 The setting or (sub-)population of patients
 Specific numeric, stretch goals
 Time frame
 Guidance for activities, such as strategies for the
effort, or limitations
Karen Scott Collins, MD, MPH

17. Aim Statements
 The aim of this project is to reduce inpatient falls on
ABC unit from 4.60 falls/1000 patient days to the
NDNQI benchmark of 3.07 by March 2016.
 We will reduce inpatient falls associated with toileting from an
average of three (3) per month to zero (0) by Jan 1, 2016.
 We will increase patient awareness of fall risk from ten percent
(10%) to twenty-five percent 25% by providing patient-centered
education by Jan 1, 2016.
 We will increase adherence to all components the falls bundle
from 61% to 75% by Jan 1, 2016.
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18. Does example meet these criteria?
YES NO
Is it consistent with the mission of the
initiative?
Is it clear what is expected to happen and
when?
Can you determine the system to be
improved?
Can you distinguish the setting or sub-
population of patients?
Are specific numeric goals clearly stated?
Is there guidance indicated for the activities,
such as strategies for the effort, or
limitations?

19. How do you set the goal?
 Pick a number/percentage.
 Benchmark against similar organizations
 Benchmark from own performance (ABCTM)
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20. How do you set the goal?
 Benchmark from own performance (ABCTM)
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Hospital with 10 discharges all with reassessments documented (100%):
APF = (10 + 1) / (10 + 2) = 0.917
Hospital with 1000 discharges with only 800 reassessments documented
(80%):
APF = (800 + 1) / (1000 + 2) = 0.799

21. Now it’s your turn…
In your groups, discuss your project
aim/goal.
Write an aim statement for your project.
Use the checklist to make sure it meets
the criteria.
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22. Exercise: Aims
Use the following criteria to evaluate your aim statement
 Is it consistent with the mission of the
organization/collaborative/improvement initiative?
 Is it clear what is expected to happen by when?
 Can you determine the system to be improved?
 Can you distinguish the setting or sub-population of
patients?
 Are specific numeric goals clearly stated?
 Is there guidance indicated for the activities, such as
strategies for the effort, or limitations?

23. Project Charter
A formalized agreement between
management and the team
 Your marching orders going forward
States significance, aim, scope of work,
measures, deliverables and resources
Keeps the team focused

24. Project Charter
A formalized agreement between
management and the team
 Your marching orders going forward
States significance, aim, scope of work,
measures, deliverables and resources
Keeps the team focused

25. Main uses of a project charter
Authorizes the project.
Serves as a summary that can be distributed
to others.
Serves as a guide for the team throughout
the project.

26. Project Charter
Be concise and to the point!

28. Challenges
to consider
as you work
on your
projects.