title: Quality improvement in a school health program. Results of a process evaluation.
abstract: A process evaluation of a school health program designed to improve students' health and educational success is presented. The program included a pediatric nurse practitioner and two nurses placed in three high-risk, urban intervention schools. It is a part of a larger multidimensional pilot intervention project (The Children First Plan). Implemented services and the implementation process are described. Key components for a successful implementation included obtaining buy-in, learning the school culture, defining roles, and keeping a sense of humor. Collaborative efforts among the nursing team, other children-first plan providers, and the school staff improved service delivery. Lack of communication was the primary barrier. In addition, differing philosophies among systems (education, social services, health), problems with referral and feedback, and lack of appropriate providers hampered service delivery. Recommendations for continued program improvement and replication projects are provided.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Health Policy and Health Services Research, University of Cincinnati, USA.
authors.forename: B K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Klostermann
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Perry
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Britto
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D004282:Documentation; D006284:Health Plan Implementation; D006801:Humans; D009820:Ohio; D017064:Process Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000379:methods*; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012572:School Health Services