Accreditation and QI, Washington

Washington began developing standards for public health in the mid-1990s. By 2000, a set of standards and measures based on the Core Functions of Public Health and the Ten Essential Public Health Services had been developed, reviewed, and revised.

The development process relied on the work of an ongoing Standards Committee, as well as multidisciplinary workgroups of state and local health workers. Since 2000, three field test of the assessment tools have taken place.

Washington also participates in the Multi-State Learning Collaborative project, which assesses quality improvement strategies to enhance the work of public health departments.

Tools and Resources

Visit the webpage of Washington State's Public Health Improvement Partnership.
View the Exemplary Practices Compendium for Public Health In Washington State.

Case Examples

Read about the Spokane Regional Health District's incorporation of the Operational Definition into its public health standards.
Review the Washington state-level crosswalk of the Washington Core Functions, the Ten Essential Public Health Services, and the Operational Definition.
Review the Washington local health department crosswalk of the Washington Core Functions, the Ten Essential Public Health Services, and the Operational Definition.

Programs

View the 2009 Quality Improvement Plan for the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department.
Learn about Washington's standards for public health in a fact sheet describing its MLC efforts.
The Washington State Department of Health is participating in the beta test of PHAB's national voluntary accreditation program.