Tackling Healthcare Associated Infections Through QI
October 22, 2013
When staff in the Connecticut Department of Public Health (CDPH) recognized a rise in the state’s Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) rates, they addressed the issue using a collaborative approach at regional long-term care (LTC) facilities. To strengthen results, the health department built quality...
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Public Health and Healthcare Collaborate to Reduce Maine’s Antibiotic Resistant Infections
October 22, 2013
In response to an increase in reported outbreaks of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in facilities and pockets within facilities, the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) began participating as a pilot site in the Public Health Foundation’s (PHF's) Antibiotic Stewardship...
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Getting Started with Quality Improvement Video
June 8, 2012
South Carolina had high Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) rates among its residents and long clinic wait-times for the affected population to receive STD treatment. To solve these problems, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control staff participated in a quality improvement...
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Improving STD Clinic Efficiency Video
June 8, 2012
South Carolina residents had high rates of Sexual Transmitted Diseases (STD), long wait-times in the clinic, and a lack of nursing staff to meet the demand for services. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control staff decided that there had to be a better way to improve access...
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Creating a Culture of Quality Improvement Video
June 8, 2012
South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control staff implemented a quality improvement (QI) project to decrease wait-times in Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) clinics. This resulted in more available appointments and improved staff morale. The successes experienced in this project have...
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NPHPS Story From the Field: Florida Department of Health
May 31, 2012
The Florida Department of Health utilized results from the National Public Health Performance Standards (NPHPS) state public health system assessment to support its activities in developing a new State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP). The Florida Department of Health self-rated its activities related...
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NPHPS Story From the Field: Rocky Mountain Tribal Epidemiology Center
May 31, 2012
Rocky Mountain Tribal Epidemiology Center provides technical assistance and facilitation support for American Indian Tribes in Montana and Wyoming in a variety of public health service areas, including the National Public Health Performance Standards (NPHPS) public health system assessment. The NPHPS...
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QI Leads To Health Outcomes
April 5, 2012
When was the last time you waited on a long line? Was it at the pharmacy? At the doctor’s office? For your flu shot? Were you thinking: I wish they would schedule appointments more efficiently so I wouldn’t have to waste time waiting? If you did, you were wishing they would use quality improvement (QI)...
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Diverse QI Methods All Lead to Success: Increased Immunization Rates in Three Ohio Counties
September 16, 2011
Optimizing immunization rates was a goal of Healthy People 2010. Health departments from three different Ohio Counties used Quality Improvement (QI) methods to raise their DTaP series (4 shot series) immunization rates. The project began with a joint QI training in which each health department team...
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Quality Improvement Success in Kansas with H1N1 and Social Distancing
April 11, 2011
In the summer of 2009, Kansas Department of Health and Environment QI teams used flowcharting to create a new information alert system. The QI team identified three major channels for information. The teams subsequently used their new flowcharting skills to design isolation activities for infected individuals...
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