Exploring the Linkage Between Accreditation Outcomes and Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response

Kennedy, Michael G.; Heffernan, Megan; Gonick, Shannon A.; Siegfried, Alexa

doi:10.1097/phh.0000000000001329

Cited by 4 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…Lastly, more than two third of respondents (68.7%) reported that accreditation also boosted the health department's use of evidence-based methods. These findings provide evidence that, in addition to improving overall health department capacities, accreditation also supports the national guidelines, criteria, and activities identified as critical for developing and maintaining preparedness capability within the governmental public health system [36].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 53%

“…However, the actual change takes time to be built into the organization and become a habit. Kennedy et al (2022) investigated the results of preparedness-related accreditation that may impact emergency preparedness response and recovery capabilities in the United States. The research used data collected by the National Opinion Research Center based on a poll of health departments after a year of accreditation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Upholding Quality and Patient Safety during COVID-19 Pandemic—A Jordanian Case Study

et al. 2023

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Background: The advent of the COVID-19 pandemic caused a rapid increase in demand for healthcare services over a prolonged period, and the hospital emergency preparedness system has been essential. Therefore, this study aimed to explore Jordanian hospitals’ response to emergency situations and examine the underlying role and effect of accreditation programs as a “Quality and Patient Safety” tool to deal with emergency situations during the pandemic. Methods: An online survey for a cross-sectional study was conducted in Jordan between 1 March and 30 May 2022, to examine the opinions of hospitals’ top, senior, and middle managers using a validated questionnaire. Results: A total of 200 healthcare providers from 30 hospitals participated in the study. From the areas within accreditation standards that were investigated, capacity building on emergency preparedness and communication abilities received the least scores (2.46 and 2.48, respectively). Additionally, hospitals with mature quality and patient safety culture (>3 accreditation cycles) demonstrated a statistically significant difference in score in two domains–emergency preparedness (p = 0.027) and infection prevention and control (p = 0.024). Conclusions: During outbreaks, hospitals that are required to comply with accreditation standards that address all emergency preparedness aspects will fare better in quality performance.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 53%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Upholding Quality and Patient Safety during COVID-19 Pandemic—A Jordanian Case Study

et al. 2023

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“…The findings from this analysis illuminate how the public health department accreditation program has improved outcomes for LHDs, particularly small LHDs, in strengthening staff competencies, capacity to provide high-quality services, use of evidence-based practices, and relationships with partners. These benefits may support the capacity of health departments to prepare for and respond to emergencies and threats, including COVID-19 19,20. LHDs have been central to the nation's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and ongoing support is vital for strengthening the capacity of the public health system to respond to future emergencies.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These benefits may support the capacity of health departments to prepare for and respond to emergencies and threats, including COVID-19. 19,20 LHDs have been central to the nation's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and ongoing support is vital for strengthening the capacity of the public health system to respond to future emergencies. There is an ongoing need in the United States to ensure that the public health system has the capacity to respond to emergencies and threats, prevent chronic disease, and improve population health.…”

Section: Implications For Policy and Practicementioning

confidence: 99%

Benefits and Impacts of Public Health Accreditation for Small Local Health Departments

Heffernan

Melnick²,

Siegfried³

et al. 2022

Journal of Public Health Management and Practice

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Objective: This study sought to identify accreditation benefits and impacts among local health departments (LHDs) stratifying by size of population served to determine differences between small, medium, and large LHDs. Background: The Public Health Accreditation Board operates the national accreditation program for public health departments, through which 306 LHDs have been accredited as of August 2022. Benefits of accreditation for LHDs are well documented, despite potential challenges and barriers to seeking accreditation. Research on the benefits of accreditation for small LHDs, specifically, is more limited. Methods: All health departments that completed the accreditation process between December 2013 and May 2022 were surveyed following receipt of the accreditation decision. The analytic sample included 266 LHDs (response rate of 93.7%). Data for LHDs were analyzed for specific variables related to experiences, challenges, and benefits, and stratified by size to compare small LHDs with medium and large LHDs. Bivariate analyses were conducted to identify statistical significance. Results: Generally, small LHDs reported similar outcomes of accreditation to medium and large LHDs. These included improvements in staff competencies, capacity to provide high-quality services, and relationships with partners. Small LHDs were significantly more likely than medium and large LHDs to report that accreditation increased their use of evidencebased practices. LHDs of all sizes reported an increase in quality improvement activities due to accreditation. Challenges for small LHDs included limited staff time or staff turnover and limited funding. Conclusions:The public health accreditation program has offered numerous benefits to LHDs of all sizes, including small LHDs. These accreditation benefits may be particularly important for small LHDs because of their critical role in the public health system and the ongoing need to support performance improvement, strengthen infrastructure, and increase resilience. KEY WORDS: local health departments, public health accreditation, public health capacityT he Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) operates the national accreditation program for public health departments, with the mission to "advance and transform public health practice by championing performance improvement, strong infrastructure, and innovation." 1 A strong public health infrastructure is necessary to ensure the capacity of the public health system to advance health equity, prepare for and respond to public health emergencies and threats, and improve population health. 2

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“…Regarding public health accreditation, PHNCI's accomplishments include incorporating innovation into public health accreditation and developing resources that link innovation and transformation to accreditation. Accreditation has been associated with positive outcomes in participating health departments21 and may also strengthen key areas related to public health emergency preparedness and response 22. Identifying opportunities to strengthen the accreditation program by incorporating innovative ideas may serve to strengthen the public health field as a whole and enhance the capacity of health departments to address emerging and ongoing public health threats and challenges.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Public Health National Center for Innovations: An Initial Qualitative Evaluation

Siegfried

Kennedy

Gonick

et al. 2022

Journal of Public Health Management and Practice

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Context: The Public Health National Center for Innovations (PHNCI) was launched in 2015 as a division of the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) to serve as a hub for fostering public health innovation and transformation. Objectives: We explored perspectives of key informants to assess PHNCI's work in its first 5 years, including implementation of activities, outputs, accomplishments, and opportunities. Design: This qualitative study involved a Web site review; secondary document review; 15 interviews with 17 key informants purposively sampled from 2 groups—PHNCI and PHAB staff and leadership (PHNCI respondents), and external partners and collaborators (external respondents); and thematic analysis of qualitative data. Setting: United States. Results: PHNCI implemented its planned activities over the past 5 years—including grant programs and learning communities; large-scale public health initiatives; conferences, events, and convenings; webinar trainings; and resources, tools, and materials—resulting in more than 150 outputs. According to key informants, PHNCI's major accomplishments were as follows: contributed to an increased understanding and awareness of innovation in the public health field; provided grants and learning communities to support innovation; developed and disseminated materials to help practitioners innovate; established partnerships and promoted cross-sector collaboration; supported systems transformation; incorporated innovation into public health accreditation; and focused efforts to advance health equity. Conclusions: Going forward, PHNCI should continue to prioritize its core activities that support public health innovation and transformation; expand its work by addressing innovation in new public health topic areas; strengthen and expand its cross-sector work, partnerships, and activities to advance health equity and antiracism; and increase its visibility and reach, particularly within other sectors. Continued commitment and leadership are important for strengthening the capacity of the public health system to innovate, respond to ongoing and emerging public health threats and challenges, and advance health equity.

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Exploring the Linkage Between Accreditation Outcomes and Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response

Cited by 4 publications

References 4 publications

Upholding Quality and Patient Safety during COVID-19 Pandemic—A Jordanian Case Study

Upholding Quality and Patient Safety during COVID-19 Pandemic—A Jordanian Case Study

Benefits and Impacts of Public Health Accreditation for Small Local Health Departments

The Public Health National Center for Innovations: An Initial Qualitative Evaluation

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