AHA guide offers 'Triple Aim' strategies to improve behavioral health care

A new report from the AHA’s Hospitals in Pursuit of Excellence initiative describes strategies, action steps and examples for hospitals, health systems and community stakeholders working to develop a well-coordinated, accessible, affordable and accountable system for delivering behavioral health care. Case studies in the guide provide examples of how hospitals and health systems, working with community partners, can improve the quality and access to behavioral health care, while bending the cost curve and improving community health. “To maintain and improve the health of their patients and communities, hospitals and health systems are working to achieve the Triple Aim: improving the patient experience of care (including quality and satisfaction), improving the health of populations, and reducing the per capita cost of health care,” the report notes. “Integrating physical and behavioral health services throughout and across the continuum of care, while partnering with community stakeholders to expand access to appropriate behavioral health services in the least restrictive setting, can help hospitals and health systems achieve Triple Aim goals.”