Performance improvement and accreditation: Is there a connection?

Accreditation is one of the latest topics being promoted as a tool for performance management and quality improvement (QI) for local health departments (LHD). Illinois is one of the participating states in the Multi-state Learning Collaborative (MLC) funded by Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The goal of Illinois' accreditation project is to test accreditation as a performance improvement tool. The pilot accreditation project was implemented in 7 LHDs and consists of a self-study, tabletop review, site visit, and evaluation. The first three processes are addressed in a separate abstract. This presentation addresses the evaluation component which, tests the hypothesis that accreditation can work as a tool for performance improvement among LHDs. Qualitative research methods were used in developing interviews and analyzing data. Interviews are organized based on contextual factors, inputs, process components, and outputs. Contextual factors address why the agencies seek accreditation and their perceptions regarding the benefits of receiving accreditation. Inputs address infrastructure, leadership skills, and organizational capacity. Process components comprise of the performance measures, standards, self-study, and site visit. Outputs include the perceived benefit of accreditation, how it helped the LHD identify strengths and weakness, influence of accreditation on the way the LHD communicates with its stakeholders, and the extent to which it promotes QI. We will the different ways accreditation influenced each LHD in their efforts to improve performance. The presentation summarizes the evaluation results and makes recommendations on the possible implications of accreditation on a wider scale. We will discuss how accreditation can be used to improve the performance of LHDs and its role as a tool for QI. It is important to understand how the accreditation process works in a diverse group of LHDs, and its influence on improving performance.