Which of the following is not one of the six quality aims expressed by the Institute of Medicine?

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) has outlined six quality aims for healthcare that include safety, effectiveness, patient-centeredness, timeliness, efficiency, and equity. Each of these aims is designed to enhance the quality of care delivered to patients.

Affordability is not one of the six aims. While affordability is a significant aspect of healthcare access and public policy, it does not directly fit within the framework established by the IOM when discussing the quality of care. The focus of the IOM's aims is primarily on the effectiveness and experience of care, rather than the cost associated with that care.

The other aims listed—safety, efficiency, and equity—each represent critical components of healthcare quality. Safety focuses on minimizing harm to patients, efficiency emphasizes the best possible outcomes with the least waste of resources, and equity ensures that care is accessible and fair across different populations. Understanding these distinctions is essential for appreciating the framework of healthcare quality as proposed by the IOM.