Implementation of a performance management system in a statewide public health system: An approach to increase transparency, accountability and quality

In 2004 the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) initiated a Performance Management System (PMS) within Health Services (HS), one of four Deputy Areas of the agency. This presentation will focus on how HS is using the system to increase transparency, accountability and improve performance across 8 Public Health Regions and Central Office. Utilizing the Turning Point Performance Management National Excellence Collaborative's model, HS included the seven public health performance management domains as a framework to develop and pilot approximately 278 performance measures from November 06-February 07. The domains include 1) Management Practices, 2) Human Resource Development, 3) Public Health Capacity, 4) Data and Information Systems, 5) Customer Focus and Satisfaction, 6) Financial Systems and 7) Health Status. We'll discuss how measures were developed, refined and or deleted after the pilot, and how information from the PMS is shared and reported across HS and the agency as a whole. Methods for evaluating quality improvement plans and practices will be shared. Challenges during the initial deployment include prioritization of measures, finding the balance between local innovation and statewide priorities and creating a continuous quality improvement culture.