A Local Health Department's Journey to the Summit

Abstract

As the interest in quality improvement (QI) efforts in public health agencies gathers momentum, organizations looking to initiate or strengthen QI processes may benefit from learning about existing programs. This article serves as a case study for other agencies to consider as they embark upon their QI journey. Specifically, this article reviews more than a decade of QI efforts in a mid-sized local health department and highlights areas of success (including an annual QI summit), barriers to implementation of QI, and areas needing improvement.

A Public Health Performance Excellence Improvement Strategy: Diffusion and Adoption of the Baldrige Framework Within Tennessee Department of Health

“…Multiple reports from public health departments describe frameworks focused on quality assurance and quality improvement (QI), statewide quality centers and training programs, 1 , 2 domains of a QI culture, 3 and accreditation as drivers for the adoption of a quality culture. 4 In addition, literature reports on use of specific QI tools in public health, including Lean and Kaizen events, are also effective drivers.…”