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Public Health
Standards:
Accreditation
National
public health accreditation aims to improve and protect the
health of the public by advancing the quality and performance of
state, tribal, and local health departments. The public
Public Health
Accreditation Board
is implementing voluntary, national accreditation for
state, territorial, tribal, and local public health departments.
Accreditation Overview
Background on Accreditation in Washington State
Public Health Accreditation in Washington State
Public
health accreditation is more important than ever as public health
departments at the state and local levels strive to meet the demand for
consistent and high-quality services while constrained by shrinking
budgets.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
in collaboration with the
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, is
supporting a national voluntary accreditation program for public health
agencies. Accreditation is new to public health, having typically been
found at hospital systems and universities in the past.
Accreditation aims to improve the quality of services delivered by
public health agencies as they work toward accreditation standards, and
after they meet those standards. Accreditation also helps to reassure
the public and elected officials that a public health agencies
activities are at peak performance, and in line with evidence-based
national standards.
A
health department can be accredited if it meets stringent standards
surrounding the CDC's
10 Essential Public Health Services,
and if it demonstrates a commitment to constant improvement. Health
departments will be accredited by the
Public Health
Accreditation Board.
Washington’s
state public health agency and its
local and tribal health departments
will apply for voluntary national accreditation. At the Department of
Health, the Office of Performance and Accountability through the
Centers for Excellence will staff the
application process and will support local and tribal agencies choosing
to seek voluntary national accreditation.
Accreditation
Process
Seven Steps to Accreditation
Guide to Accreditation
Standards and Measures
Accreditation Materials
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