The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) is committed to working at the agency level to maintain the culture of CQI through the Office of Performance Management, Quality Improvement, and Evaluation (OPMQIE). CQI is a shared culture or value system where all staff routinely look for ways to improve and actively participate in the improvement efforts. The culture of CQI helps improve agency programs, performances, and services leading to better public health outcomes for the citizens of Arkansas. If done well and with consistency, CQI has the capacity to improve operational efficiency and productivity, reduce waste and cost, increase customer satisfaction and loyalty, engage and motivate the workforce, and promote continuous learning and adaptation (Source: Lean Six Sigma).
The core concept of CQI is that everything can be improved. It uses powerful but doable methods and tools and a data-driven approach to lead to desired results. CQI initiatives are important for staff at all levels. It drives the implementation within the agency by making sure that we approach it in a strategic and comprehensive way. This allows us to continually refine programs, processes, and services. The CQI infrastructure at ADH is illustrated below.
The OPMQIE Performance and the Quality Improvement managers facilitate participation of ADH performance management leads and QI champions from across the agency via respective committees. When the performance manager and program identify gaps in specific public health program area, the QI team develops projects specifically to bridge the gap. To assist the champions, the managers provide resources such as PM and QI informational materials and training. Some training sessions are currently available on ADH-TRAIN.
Essential Components of ADH CQI
- CQI Council: Six members with consent to serve for two years
- CQI Champions: Sex members with consent to serve for two years
- Meetings: Quarterly and Annual (last annual meeting, January 2025)
- Data Collection: Quarterly
- Data Collection & Management: Clear Impact Unlimited Suite, Clear Impact Inc.
- Reporting to OPMQIE: Quarterly and Annual
- Reporting to PHAB: Annual
- ADH Plan: 2024-2029 Performance and Quality Improvement Plan
- Guidelines: PHAB Standards & Measures v.2022
PHAB Standards & Measures v.2022 Driving CQI
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
- QI projects
- QI training videos
- QI informational materials
- ADH’s Performance and Quality Improvement Plan, 2024-2029
Other Links
- 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)
