PHF helped the Orange County Health Department in Florida to complete a quality improvement (QI) project that reduced the spread of syphilis and HIV in 2005-2006.
Using QI tools and techniques, the Orange County Health Department Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) team reduced the rate of syphilis by almost half, from 60 reported cases per quarter to just over 30 reported cases per quarter. Other public health organizations looking to apply QI methods for meeting programmatic goals can take advantage of Orange County’s STD QI storyboard to find out how the STD team used QI methods and tools to turn the county’s syphilis problem around by retaining qualified workers. Orange County leaders were encouraged by the outcome of their QI efforts that they expressed interest in spreading QI techniques to all of their departments.
PHF is working to further demonstrate how effective adoption of performance management and QI methods and tools can lead to greater efficiencies, effectiveness, and improvements in health outcomes. If you are interested in applying similar QI techniques to improve your program, we offer Consulting and Training Services for every public health department or public health agency. Visit the STD QI Demonstration Projects page to learn more.
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