Question

The medical staff at 3HS is unionized across the system’s hospitals. Union leadership has confronted system executives about what they see as an intrusion into clinical practice, specifically the system’s focus on health information technology (HIT) and the triple aim (stating that the “triple aim” appears nothing more than a marketing ploy). Briefly describe the triple aim and how HIT can support it, offering an example for each component of the triple aim.

Answer 1

Triple aim refers to the framework that has been developed by the IHI or Institute for Healthcare Improvement. Triple aim for populations aims to improve healthcare delivery outcomes by improving in three dimensions, namely, population health, patient care, and per capita cost. The focus areas of IHI in order to implement this framework are:

• naive models of managing population health
• replacing packages to aid the Triple aim, beginning with high risk, high-cost populations.
• Initiative and campaigns regarding the population health improvement that is free from discrimination.
• Extension of reach of population health improvement and its impact.
• Providing quality health by comprehensive quality strategies for the large health system and the nation.

The HIT or health information technology aids in the Triple aim as it can be useful in data management and communication purposes. The communication through the mails or messaging can be enabled by the HIT. Further, the data regarding patient health can be accessed through the internet enabling a better care to the patient. Health care cost per capita could be reduced by clear and concise information about the patient's history and apt treatment.