200103 HRSA's performance reviews: A model to evaluate and improve community programs

Tuesday, November 10, 2009: 3:00 PM

Chandak Ghosh, MD, MPH , U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), New York, NY
  
BACKGROUND: In 2003, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) introduced a new outcome-based protocol to review its 3000 grantees. With $6 billion in funding, HRSA works to increase healthcare access for America's underserved communities.

PROGRAM DESIGN: Congressional demand for program outcome data and grantee dissatisfaction with previous compliance-based reviews led to the development of the new protocol, focused on grantee performance. HRSA created the Office of Performance Review (OPR) to conduct the reviews nationally. OPR developed outcome measures based on accepted clinical, financial, and management standards. These measures are used to follow community grantee trends, review Continuous Quality Improvement processes, assess health disparities, and discuss options for progress.

OUTCOMES: In six years, HRSA reviews have led directly to improved community grantee performance and to satisfaction rates among the highest in government. OPR also documents environmental conditions in healthcare and governmental policies hindering performance. OPR strives to connect all HRSA grantees within communities to foster collaboration and mentorship.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Community health programs should consider HRSA's performance review methodology as a model to evaluate and improve grantee performance. Focusing on outcomes and creating partnerships leads directly to improved healthcare quality.

Learning Objectives:
1)Describe HRSA’s new grantee performance review protocol and process. 2)Explain the effective use of outcome measures to evaluate performance and health disparities. 3)Demonstrate the advantages of building partnerships in communities to impact quality.

Keywords: Quality Improvement, Community Collaboration

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: My entire professional life has been devoted to community public health--from grassroots to CBOs to federal agencies funding communities. I conduct research and create programs focused on improving community health.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Evaluating Community Partnerships and Other Collaboration-Based Programs
See more of: Community Health Planning and Policy Development