Collect and Organize Documentation

Each LHD must demonstrate compliance with PHAB standards and measures by collecting and submitting documentation. This phase of the accreditation preparation process includes the following two steps: 1). Formation of an accreditation preparation team and 2). Collection and electronic organization of documentation. These two activities should begin well in advance of submitting the PHAB application. The following resources exist to assist LHDs with organizing for accreditation.

»	PHAB Standards and Measures, Version 1.0
	This document serves as the official standards, measures, and required documentation for PHAB national public health accreditation. It provides guidance on the meaning and purpose of a measure and the types and forms of documentation that are appropriate to demonstrate conformity with each measure. The standards are based on the ten essential public health services and focus on “what” the health department provides in services and activities, regardless of “how” they are provided or through what organizational structure. More »

»	PHAB Documentation Guidance
	This document provides general guidance for health departments to consider when selecting the specific documentation that will be submitted to PHAB for each documentation requirement contained in the PHAB Standards and Measures, Version 1.0. More »

»	PHAB Documentation Selection Spreadsheet
	PHAB has created this Excel spreadsheet template to assist health departments with organizing their documentation. More »

»	NACCHO Organizational Guide to Self-Study Process
	This guide walks through the principle steps in undertaking the process for collecting PHAB documentation including forming the accreditation preparation team, orienting staff to accreditation, gathering documentation, and identifying areas of strength and weakness. More »

»	Accreditation File for Mind Manager Software
	Mind Manager is an information mapping software which can be used for organizing documentation intended for submission to PHAB. Pre-populated with Version 1.0 of the PHAB Standards and Measures (local version), the Spokane Regional Health District (SRHD) developed a file for use with the Mind Manager software, allowing users to upload documentation for each accreditation measure, and include notes as helpful and appropriate. SRHD has provided free copies of this file for use by LHDs that are using the Mind Manager software. Please note that to use this file you must purchase the Mind Manager software. For more information about Mind Manager, visit www.mindjet.com. To request a CD ROM of the file from NACCHO, e-mail accreditprep@naccho.org. For information about SRHD’s use of the software or development of the template, contact Gwendolyn Dutt at gdutt@spokanecounty.org.

»	Example Documentation for Accreditation
	NACCHO has collected examples of documentation that LHDs are using to meet PHAB standards and measures. Visit this page to view examples and learn about the LHDs submitting them. More »

»	NACCHO Documentation Wizard
	NACCHO has developed tools to help LHDs think about selecting documentation from different program areas, different agency policies, and other categories. These tools also contain information about measures where documentation can be reused or shared. Coming soon

»	NACCHO Documentation Review
	NACCHO staff are available to review and provide comments on select pieces of documentation. For more information, contact accreditprep@naccho.org.

»	NACCHO Webinar: The Cat's Out of the Bag - PHAB Beta Test Sites Share their Stories
	In this 90-minute webinar, two health departments involved in PHAB's beta test for national accreditation revealed information about the process for participants. Norton County, KS, a small local health department, and the Iowa Department of Public Health provided insight into PHAB's assessment, site visits, and processes. The speakers gave tips to interested LHDs about organizing documentation, providing the right amount of information, and using quality improvement. Click on the "more" link to view this webinar; click here for more information about NACCHO's accreditation preparation and QI webinar series. More »

»	Story from the Field: West-Allis Health Department
	In this local health department Story from the Field, West-Allis health department (WAHD) in Wisconsin describes its accreditation preparation and quality improvement activities. WAHD plans to apply for accreditation in 2011. Click on the "more" link to read this story; click here to view all of NACCHO's accreditation and QI Stories from the Field. More »

»	Story from the Field: Lessons from Locals
	This story from the field describes lessons learned from North Carolina’s Local Health Department Accreditation Program and from accreditation preparation efforts in Tulsa City-County Health Department (OK). Click on the "more" link to view this story; click here to view all of NACCHO's accreditation and QI Stories from the Field. More »

»	Prioritization Techniques for Selecting QI Efforts
	Once an LHD has completed the PHAB documentation collection process, the possible areas for improvement may seem overwhelming. Where do you start doing QI? How do you choose QI efforts? This document outlines five prioritization methods LHDs can use to choose among the many and narrow them down to select the few best to start. It includes descriptions of each method as well as examples of how LHDs have used the methods. More »