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AIM: What are we trying to accomplish? The Aim Statement is carefully worded to include a description of how much improvement is desired, a description of the specific patient population that is the focus, and the amount of time it should take to achieve an aim. MEASURES: How will we know that a change is an improvement? Measurement allows one to objectively see how a process is performing and whether gaps exist. Once a change is implemented into practice, measurement helps to determine if the change actually resulted in an improvement and it provides information about next steps.

Quality Improvement. But QI is more than tools; it is a culture of continuous Quality. Use of incremental change and a testing model called Plan-Do-Study-Act.

IDEAS: What changes can we make that will result in an improvement? Practice teams come up with ideas for what changes can be made in order to accomplish the aim. Ideas for the basis for the next step in the Model for Improvement, PDSA cycles. Once a practice selects an idea, the next step is the 'doing' phase, which involves testing the idea using PDSA cycles. The Plan, Do, Study, Act cycle is used to conduct rapid tests of change on a small scale, learn from the results, and apply the learning to the next test cycle. PLAN: make a blueprint for what to change; predict the results of the test; specify action steps; identify who is responsible for what, when, where, and how; and determine what will be measured. DO: carry out the change or test for a short period of time or with a few patients.

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Collect data and begin analysis. STUDY: complete analysis of data. Check to see if the planned change was made and if it resulted in an improvement. Summarize what was learned.

ACT: Based on the results of the study phase, decide what to do differently. Plan for the next cycle. Resources:.: This worksheet assists practices in developing an aim statement for their project.: This worksheet helps practices refine their aim statement, identify measures relevant to their aim, clarify who is part of the improvement team, generate ideas for change, prioritize and schedule tests of change, and plan their first PDSA cycle in detail. This worksheet was used as part of the project workshop.: This form is a template practices can use to develop a schedule and track changes made.: This worksheet assists practices to plan and record their plan, do, study, act cycles to monitor tests of change.: This tip sheet has been compiled with lessons learned by projects to provide helpful tips to increase the sustainability of your project.: This guide presents a series of questions, actionable Web-based tools and case studies to help users determine if an innovation is a good fit for their health care organization.

Helpful Web Sites.: AHRQ is the lead Federal agency charged with improving the quality, safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of health care for all Americans. AHRQ supports health services research that will improve the quality of health care and promote evidence-based decision-making.: IHI is a not-for-profit organization leading the improvement of healthcare throughout the world. IHI works to accelerate improvement by building the will for change, cultivating promising concepts for improving patient care, and helping health care systems put those ideas into action.: NICHQ is an action-oriented organization dedicated solely to improving the quality of health care provided to children. Founded in 1999, NICHQ's mission is to eliminate the gap between what is and what can be in health care for all children. (NCQA): NCQA is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. Since its founding in 1990, NCQA has been a central figure in driving improvement throughout the health care system, helping to elevate the issue of health care quality to the top of the national agenda. (NQF): NQF is a not-for-profit membership organization created to develop and implement a national strategy for health care quality measurement and reporting.