141st APHA Annual Meeting

In This section

280348
Moving toward a culture of quality: Lessons learned from public health accreditation beta test sites

Monday, November 4, 2013

David Reyes, DNP, MPH, APHN-BC , Community Health Services Divison, Public Health - Seattle & King County, Seattle, WA
Background: Building systems knowledge and capacity within public health agencies and developing a workforce competent in systems thinking, analysis, leadership, quality improvement (QI) principles and tools is essential toward improving agency performance and competence in order to address health disparities and improve population health outcomes. Aim: A survey of public health accreditation coordinators from seven state or local health agencies identified as beta sites for the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) Accreditation Standards and Measures (Standards) was conducted in summer 2012. Agency accreditation coordinators were asked to describe challenges and successes in preparing to meet Domain 9 of the Standards, including strategies for developing a quality of culture, educating their workforce in quality improvement principles and practices, and identification and development of their agency's QI project. Methods: A purposeful sample of beta sites was identified and their respective accreditation coordinators interviewed via telephone using semi-structured interview questions. Findings: Beta sites identified barriers and conditions to successfully prepare for meeting accreditation standards/measures, and strategies for building a quality culture and for educating the public health workforce. These findings provide insight to guide public health agencies in preparing for accreditation and integrating quality improvement principles into practice.

Learning Areas:
Administration, management, leadership
Program planning
Public health administration or related administration
Public health or related laws, regulations, standards, or guidelines
Public health or related nursing
Public health or related organizational policy, standards, or other guidelines

Learning Objectives:
Describe conditions necessary to succeed in preparing for developing a quality of culture; Identify strategies for educating the public health workforce in quality improvement practices and principles; Describe the “lessons learned” from beta sites preparing for accreditation.

Keywords: Accreditation, Quality Improvement

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: As a doctoral student completing my final project with the Public Health Accreditation Board focusing on public health systems improvement, I conducted a survey of PHAB beta sites preparing for accreditation. In my current role as a health administrator with Public Health - Seattle & King County, I am involved in quality improvement and systems improvement with the centers and programs I have administer.
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.