The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #47190

Peter Beilenson, MD, MPH¹, Arianne M Spaccarelli, AB¹, Nancy G Lord, MPH², Tina K Sacks, MA³, Dawn M LaForce, MPH¹, and William G Bain, AB¹. (1) Baltimore City Department of Health, 210 Guilford Ave., 3rd Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202, 410-396-4387, Peter.Beilenson@baltimorecity.gov, (2) Center for Gun Policy and Research, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 624 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, (3) National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway N.E., Mail Stop F-29, Atlanta, GA 30341

The Baltimore City Health Department has employed HealthStat as an effective management strategy to improve program performance and health outcomes. Regular HealthStat meetings bring together program managers to analyze timely public health intelligence and ensure that resource deployment and program strategies are consistent with best management practices. Public health intelligence refers to a range of program performance and health outcome data that is used to continuously assess the effectiveness of programs and strategies. This continuous assessment also assists in the identification of new needs and guides subsequent responses. Application of the HealthStat model to lead poisoning prevention and substance abuse treatment programs has improved system-wide program performance. The LeadStat initiative has reduced active lead paint violations by over 50%, increased lead enforcement cases by hundreds annually, and led to over 250 new abatements. DrugStat has helped to double the percentage of unemployed treatment patients entering employment or training by discharge, improve treatment retention rates, and attracted more funding. The effectiveness of the HealthStat management models results from continuous evaluation, personal communication across and between administrative tiers, and data driven decision-making. This evaluation continuum creates a positive feedback loop—performance evaluation improves information sharing and strategic planning that improves program performance and health outcomes.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the four principles of the HealthStat model and the basic framework of a HealthStat meeting.
• Understand how to integrate and adapt HealthStat principles into an effective managment strategy.
• Assess the suitability of HealthStat for different organizations, programs or initiatives.
• Understand how to select time sensitive indicators to use as outcome measures for HealthStat.

Keywords: Evaluation, Management

Related Web page: www.baltimorecity.gov/government/health/leadstat/index.html

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.