Online Program

321357
Improving performance at the Local Public Health Unit (LPHU) through gap analysis


Monday, November 2, 2015

Mark Strand, PhD, Department of Pharmacy Practice, Department of Public Health, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND
North Dakota local public health units (LPHU) have been exploring ways to overcome financial and staff capacity barriers so they can better deliver the Ten Essential Services and be in a position to achieve Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) accreditation. The SE Central Regional Network of North Dakota, comprising seven LPHUs, established a goal to improve financial and performance efficiency by reviewing their budget and services delivered, and then established a performance management system to carry out the prescribed changes.

The gap analysis was a two-year process that included financial and qualitative assessment. Financial assessment was done by cost-benefit analysis of public health services delivered and PHUND$ analysis of institutional financial efficiency. Cost-benefit analysis ranked 23 services provided by cost per beneficiary. PHUND$ analysis determined that the LPHU’s administrative expenditures were only 13.78%, and total operating margin 2%. Qualitative assessment was done through the administration of a survey of LPHU employees, county health board members, and community-based partners. Among the many findings was the extent to which public perception of public health as free compromises financial sustainability. This was followed by the development of a performance management system that will be used to guide on-going future development.

This presentation will describe the process by which the gap analysis was performed, with the recommendation that LPHUs in rural counties consider undertaking a systematic review of their work processes in order to redesign the process of delivering the essential public health services.

Learning Areas:

Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs
Administration, management, leadership
Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Public health administration or related administration
Public health or related organizational policy, standards, or other guidelines
Systems thinking models (conceptual and theoretical models), applications related to public health

Learning Objectives:
Describe the financial and service-related challenges facing rural Local Public Health Units (LPHU) Describe the importance of evidence-based strategic planning Design a gap analysis appropriate to their own LPHU

Keyword(s): Needs Assessment, Local Public Health Agencies

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to make this presentation because I designed and carried out the gap analysis. Additionally, I met with the local public health unit administrators monthly during the two year gap analysis process. Among my scientific interests are linking student education with professional competency needs. Therefore, I link education with research at the local health unit level.
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.