Quality improvement (QI) in public health is the use of a deliberate and defined improvement process, such as Plan-Do-Check-Act, which is focused on activities that are responsive to community needs and improving population health. It is essential for health departments to use QI tools to fulfill their missions, apply for accreditation, improve the health of their communities, and become more efficient and effective. To support these efforts, the Public Health Foundation (PHF) developed and published the
Public Health Quality Improvement Encyclopedia.
This comprehensive encyclopedia includes 75 QI tools and an extensive glossary.
In this resource, PHF Senior Quality Advisor
John W. Moran and co-author Grace L. Duffy define the purpose of each tool and provide guidance on when and how they should be used. They also explain what should be done after implementing each tool and provide examples specific to public health settings. This encyclopedia includes basic and advanced QI tools—many that aren't available elsewhere in print including:
Continuum of Quality
Five Whys
Gantt Chart
Purpose Principle
- Stakeholder Analysis
- SWOT Analysis
Order the Public Health Quality Improvement Encyclopedia today from PHF's Online Store. These QI tools are regularly incorporated into PHF's on-site and remote technical assistance and training in QI, performance management, and workforce development. To learn more, contact Ron Bialek at (202)218-4420 or [email protected].
The Public Health Quality Improvement Encyclopedia is now available as a mobile app. Find it on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store!
PHF performance improvement experts have continued to develop resources to expand the library of QI tools available to support the work of health departments and their community partners. These tools are online as the Quality Improvement Tools to Advance Public Health Practice.
Looking for The Public Health Quality Improvement Handbook? Please visit the ASQ website.