The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #34367

Michelle S. Davis, PhD, MSPH¹, Robert R. Hodge, PhD, MPH, MS¹, and Louis Daily, PhD². (1) Policy & Planning, Philadelphia Dept. of Public Health, 1101 Market St., Office of the Health Commissioner, Philadelphia, PA 19107, 215-685-5673, Michelle.S.Davis@phila.gov, (2) Health Commissioner's Office, City of Philadelphia, Department of Public Health, 1101 Market St., 8th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107

This presentation will describe the strategies, tactics, and techniques employed by the Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH) during the implementation of a Quality Management Program. The program is designed to move the local government agency from an intensive scrutiny-of-inputs mode to one that focuses on results. As a result of the Quality Management Program, this public agency, like other investors, is now concerned with measuring program impact and gaining a return. Because changing a health care delivery system to an investor mode may be new for many public health agencies, it is critical to understand the strategies employed, obstacles that might be encountered, and the opportunities gained from such a transformation. The scope of this presentation will help the participant to understand the strategies employed by the PDPH, the strengths and limitations of the initiative, and how both internal and external stakeholders were involved in the process. Strategies for implementing a performance-based system, including methods for researching programmatic best practices and benchmarking will be discussed. In addition, the presentation will describe the methodology used for phasing in the performance-based initiative including the development of work plans and the construction of contract language that define the subcontractor's responsibilities as a performance-based provider.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusions of this session, the participants will be able to (1)discuss the advantages of instituting a quality management program at a public health agency, (2)discuss the search and use of benchmark information and best practices, (
• discuss some of the obstacles encountered when implementing a quality management program in the public health setting.

Keywords: Public Health Policy, Performance Measurement

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Philadelphia Department of Public Health, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.