Is Your Health Department Preparing for Accreditation??

SESSION OVERVIEW: Since 2005, serious work has occurred in the development of the national voluntary public health accreditation program through the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB). The purpose of the program is to promote quality improvement within governmental public health agencies, with a long-term goal of improving the health outcomes of the population the health departments serve. The underlying premise is that, no matter where an individual lives, they should be able to expect the same quality of services from their health departments. The accreditation program will be launched in 2011. The accreditation process, standards, measures, documentation requirements, and site visits are being tested in 30 health department sites throughout the country. Final changes in the program will occur as a result of the evaluation of the beta test so that a strong national program will be available for health departments when it launches. Public health departments interested in applying for accreditation in 2011 and beyond should be preparing now. This session will provide the latest update in the process: At the end of the session, participants will be able to: 1. Identify the key elements of the public health accreditation process. 2. Describe the tools that health departments can use to prepare for accreditation. 3. Discuss the expected outcomes associated with an accredited health department.