Performance Management & Quality Improvement

Engaging in quality improvement (QI) and performance management (PM) is not only essential for public health agency accreditation but also for improving performance at the individual, program, and organizational levels (Source: Public Health Foundation). The illustration below (source: PHF) depicts how performance standards, performance measurement, quality improvement, data tracking, and data reporting are interconnected.

PM and QI Key Components

The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) is aligning its PM and QI efforts with the Strategic Plan to meet Public Health Accreditation (PHAB) national accreditation standards. Key measures have been selected from the Strategic Plan’s five focus areas (see below), each measure with defined target population and timeline for tracking health outcomes.

1. Diabetes Prevalence
2. Heart Health
3. Women’s and Maternal Health
4. Youth Tobacco Use
5. Sexually Transmitted Diseases

The current ADH PM & QI framework consists of the following components aligned with PHAB national accreditation standards.

1. PM & QI Plan

2. Aligning PM with the current Strategic Plan (SP) – see next section for SP focus areas
3. Meetings and data tracking: Quarterly / Annual
4. Scorecard management – Clear Impact System
5. Aligning with PHAB guidance: PHAB Standards & Measures v.2022
6. Annual reporting to PHAB
7. Performance Management Technical Assistance and Training: PHF Resources

PHAB Standards & Measures v.2022 Driving ADH Performance Management

9.1.1: Doc 1c-A department wide Performance Management System which includes (c) linkage between the performance management system and strategic plan

9.1.4: Doc 1c-How performance management, quality improvement, and strategic plan are integrated.

9.1.2: Doc 1. A quality improvement (QI) plan that addresses the requirements.

9.1.3: Doc 1. Implementation of quality improvement (QI) projects that demonstrate the requirements.

9.1.4: Doc1. Maturity of performance management and quality improvement (QI) to foster a culture of quality.

Resources

• Performance Management Leadership Guide
• Performance Management, Quality Improvement and Innovation
• 2024-2029 ADH Performance and Quality Improvement Plan
• Performance Management and Quality Improvement Resources
• Standards & Measures for Reaccreditation V.2022
• Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO)

Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI)

ADH is dedicated to fostering a culture from improvement (I) to quality improvement (QI) to continuous quality improvement (CQI). CQI represents a shared value system in which all staff consistently seek opportunities to enhance processes and actively engage in improvement efforts. When implemented effectively and consistently, CQI can enhance operational efficiency and productivity, reduce waste and costs, increase customer satisfaction and loyalty, engage and motivate staff, and support ongoing learning and adaptation (Source: Lean Six Sigma).

As of 2025, ADH maintained a CQI infrastructure as illustrated below.

In 2024-2025, PESO facilitated participation of performance management leads and QI champions in identifying gaps within their work areas and developing projects to bridge the gap. PESO provided resources such as informational materials and training to assist the champions. QI training videos are currently available on ADH-TRAIN in the link below.

Resources

• ADH’s Performance and Quality Improvement Plan, 2024-2029
• Performance Management, Quality Improvement, and Innovation
• Standards & Measures for Reaccreditation V.2022
• Quality Improvement
• Quality Improvement in Public Health: It Works
• Performance Management and Quality Improvement Resources
• Continuous Quality Improvement
• Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO)
• QI projects