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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Lynn M. Madden, MPA, CHE, Chief Executive Officer, The APT Foundation, One Long Wharf Drive, suite 321, New Haven, CT 06511, 203-781-4600, LMadden@aptfoundation.org, Scott O. Farnum, LCPC, LADC, MPA, Behavioral Health and Addiction Services, Hill Health Center, 232 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06519, and David Prescott, PhD, Administrator, Psychology Services and Research, Acadia Hospital, 268 Stillwater Ave., P.O. Box 422, Bangor, ME 04402.

Acadia Hospital is a non-profit psychiatric and substance abuse facility in rural Maine. The region has experienced an epidemic of opioid dependence and attendant issues with HCV and HIV with few other local treatment resources. Since 2003, with the assistance of a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, we've engaged in rapid cycle process improvement initiatives targeted towards access and retention in substance abuse treatment. This required the creation of a “change team” including a clinical “change leader” and a senior management “executive champion” to create strategies for advancing concepts of access and retention. Key management and clinical members were added as projects required. Access and retention can be improved by incorporating client feedback into program planning and emphasizing client autonomy and dignity. We measure treatment outcomes in patient functionality with the BASIS-32, allowing direct client feedback. This type of improvement process is grounded in techniques borrowed from industries outside of healthcare. The major innovation is the speed at which improvement projects are designed, implemented, evaluated and incorporated into the strategic plan of the organization. The emphasis on measuring access and retention has transformed the clinical program into a dynamic, client-centered model. With the publication of the IOM's report “Crossing the Quality Chasm: Adaptation to Mental Health and Addictive Disorders” it has become apparent that lack of access to substance abuse and mental health treatment represents a major shortcoming of our healthcare system. Rapid cycle process improvement has the potential to positively impact this national healthcare issue.

Learning Objectives: After attendence at this learing session attendees will be able to

• Apply the principles of rapid cycle process improvement in a healthcare environment.
• Identifiy how rapid cycle techniques can improve client access to treatment and therefore advance public health goals.
• Articulate the relationship between rapid cycle process improvement approaches and strategic planning.

Keywords: Quality Improvement, Access

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation