Measuring Accreditation Activity and Progress: Findings from a Survey of Indiana Local Health Departments, 2013.
A 2013 survey of Indiana local health departments (LHDs) measured accreditation activity and progress. Reported activities were categorized using the Public Health Accreditation Board's (PHAB's) accreditation steps as a guiding framework and matched with selected sociodemographic, organizational, and technical assistance variables. Findings indicated that 42 (59.2%) of responding Indiana LHDs reported pursuing accreditation. Of LHDs pursuing accreditation, 21 were at the initial introductory step, 18 were at the prerequisite step, one reported submitting an application to PHAB, and two reported no activity, yet intent to pursue accreditation. Reported receipt of technical assistance was associated with accreditation progress (p=0.01) and, specifically, with being at the prerequisite step. Facilitating the pursuit of LHD accreditation in states with low public health investment is possible with targeted accreditation resources. Finding meaningful measures of accreditation progress will help advance the study of factors associated with LHD accreditation on a broad scale and for the long term.
Indiana University Bloomington, School of Public Health-Bloomington, Bloomington, IN ; Indiana University, Rural Center for AIDS/STD Prevention, Bloomington, IN.
Beth E
BE
Meyerson
Indiana University Bloomington, School of Public Health-Bloomington, Bloomington, IN.
Priscilla R
PR
Barnes
Indiana Public Health Association, Indianapolis, IN.
Jerry
J
King
Indiana University Bloomington, School of Public Health-Bloomington, Bloomington, IN.
Lindsey S
LS
Degi
Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Fairbanks School of Public Health, Indianapolis, IN.
Paul K
PK
Halverson
Indiana University Bloomington, School of Public Health-Bloomington, Bloomington, IN.
Haley F
HF
Polmanski
D000068:Accreditation / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D007196:Indiana; D009111:Local Government; D011635:Public Health Administration / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors