Measuring changes in quality improvement based on agency-wide efforts

Public health departments have begun to embrace quality improvement (QI) initiatives by building capacity, implementing specific projects, and developing supportive policies. As investments in QI continue to increase, it is important to monitor changes and understand the factors that drive improvements and impede change. This session will focus on efforts, in Maine, to formally assess the state health department's QI evolution over the past three years (2011-2013). The findings are based on the validated QI Maturity Tool administered to all staff (n=411). This tool measures QI organizational culture, QI capacity/competency, and the alignment of QI throughout a health department. The tool categorizes agencies into one of five groups representing a continuum of QI maturity including: lagging, emerging, progressing, achieving and excelling. Results revealed modest improvements in building a culture of QI, assuring staff capacity, and aligning the agencies policies and plans to sustain improvements. Differences based on staff characteristics and roles were revealed and will be discussed. In addition, differences among divisions will be highlighted. Finally, changes in the agencies maturity classification will be presented. The session will conclude with next steps for practice and implications for future research on the measurement of QI efforts in public health settings.