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Thesis
Becoming an Accredited Local Health Department: An Early Look for Philadelphia
Master of Public Health (M.P.H.), Drexel University
May 2010
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-3586
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In 2011, the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) will be launching a national, voluntary accreditation program for local, state and tribal public health departments. Leadership at the Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH) expressed a desire to better understand accreditation as a quality improvement process and its implications for the city of Philadelphia. PURPOSE: This project investigated the history and process of accreditation for local health departments through a comprehensive literature review and an assessment of PDPH's readiness to become accredited in the national program. METHODS: The Local Health Department Self-Assessment Tool (LHDSAT) was administered between January-March 2010 to 15 PDPH personnel using non-probability sampling methodology. Average scores for each indicator, standard and Essential Service were obtained, except for sections that only had one respondent. RESULTS: Overall score of PDPH's capacity to fulfill all Ten Essential Services was reported at 2.60, indicating "moderate capacity." PDPH demonstrated highest capacities in ES II and ES VI, lowest in ES-VIII and ES-IX. Out of 225 indicators, 33 scored at "minimal capacity" or below, 85 scored at "moderate capacity," 107 indicators scored at "moderate or significant capacity." Scores among standards, indicators and respondents showed variability, which may reflect PDPH performance or limitations of study parameters. CONCLUSION: Potential impact of achieving accreditation will depend on accreditation thresholds set by PHAB. If LHDs must demonstrate "moderate capacity" in all indicators to become accredited, PDPH would need to improve performance in 33 indicators. However, establishment of quality improvement processes will require a more comprehensive investigation into contributing factors towards low reported scores.
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Details
- Title
- Becoming an Accredited Local Health Department
- Creators
- Sara Zhuozhi Lin - DU
- Contributors
- Marla Gold (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Public Health (M.P.H.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- School of Public Health (2002-2015); Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 3586; 991014632057804721