Public Health Essential Service #2

Diagnose and Investigate Health Problems and Health Hazards in the Community

Why do we need to know about the Ten Essential Public Health Services?

Improve quality and performance. Achieve better outcomes –

improved health, less preventable deaths and disease.

Be more efficient with time and money.

Receive national accreditation.

Essential Service #2: Part of Assessment Core Function

ES #2: Diagnose and Investigate Health Problems and Hazards in the Community

In “plain English”: Identify and respond to health problems or threats.

“Are we ready to respond to health problems or threats? How quickly do we find out about problems? How effective is our response?”

(CDC, 2008)

ES#2 – “Diagnose and Investigate”Primary Functions

Timely identification and investigation of health threats.

Availability of diagnostic services, including laboratory capacity.

Response plans to address major health threats.

ES #2 – Diagnose and Investigate Detailed Activities

Epidemiological investigations of disease outbreaks/ patterns of:

Infectious disease Chronic diseases Injuries Environmental hazards Other health threats

Active infectious disease epidemiology programs.

Access to a public health laboratory capable of rapid screening, high volume testing.

Population-based screening, case finding, investigation, and

scientific analysis of health problems. Rapid screening, high volume testing, and active infectious

disease epidemiology investigations. (CDC, 2008)

ES #2: Diagnose and InvestigateExamples at ISDH:

Responding to local outbreaks

Syndromic surveillance

BRFSS, YBRS

Universal screening programs

Laboratory testing

Pandemic influenza preparedness

Bio-terrorism exercises

Others?

ES #2: Diagnose and Investigate: Who are our partners?

Local health departments, local government Physicians Hospitals Pharmacies Environmental management personnel First responders Schools Community service providers Businesses/employers Citizens of Indiana Others?

ES #2: Diagnose and InvestigateHow do we analyze performance?

Use the Model Standards:

Planning and Implementation: What type of planning takes place to implement diagnosis and investigation?

State-Local Relationships: Who from the public health system helps us diagnose and investigate?

Performance Management and Quality Improvement: How are we evaluating our diagnostic and investigative efforts and setting goals for improvement?

Public Health Capacity and Resources: How are human, financial, organizational and technical resources used for diagnosis and investigation?

Indiana’s Composite Scores: Ten Essential Services

ES #2: Diagnose and Investigate by Model Standard

(Add graph)

ES #2 Competencies:Analytic/Assessment Skills

Defines a problem.

Determines appropriate uses, limitations data. Selects, defines variables relevant to defined public health problems.

Identifies relevant and appropriate data sources.

Evaluates data integrity and comparability of data, identifies gaps.

Applies ethics to data collection, maintenance, use, dissemination.

Partners with communities to attach meaning to data. Makes relevant inferences. Obtains, interprets information re: community risks, benefits.

Sees how data illuminates ethical, political, scientific, economic issues.

ES #2 Competencies: Policy Development/Program Planning Skills

Collects, summarizes, interprets information relevant to an issue.

States policy options; writes clear, concise policy statements. Articulates the health, fiscal, administrative, legal, social, and

political implications of policy options.

States the feasibility, expected outcomes of policy options.

Decides on the appropriate course of action. Develops mechanisms to monitor and evaluate programs for

their effectiveness and quality.

ES #2 Competencies:Communication Skills

Communicates effectively in writing, orally, other ways.

Solicits input from individuals and organizations. Leads, participates in groups to address specific issues.

Uses media, advanced technologies, community networks to communicate information.

Presents accurate demographic, statistical, programmatic, scientific information for professional and lay audiences.

Unbiased listener, respects different points of view, promotes expression of diverse opinions and perspectives (attitude).

ES #2 Competencies:Cultural Competency

Interacts sensitively, effectively, and professionally with persons from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, educational, racial, ethnic and professional backgrounds, ages and orientations.

Understands the dynamic forces

contributing to cultural diversity (attitude).

ES #2 Competencies: Community Dimensions of Practice Skills

Engages effectively with communities. Identifies community assets and resources.

Develops, implements, and evaluates a community public health assessment.

ES #2 Competencies:Basic Public Health Science Skills

Defines, assesses, and understands: the health status of populations determinants of health and illness factors contributing to health promotion/disease

prevention factors influencing use of health services

Identifies, applies basic public health research methods

Applies the basic public health sciences including: behavioral and social sciences biostatistics epidemiology, environmental public health prevention of chronic and infectious diseases and injuries

ES #2 Competencies: Financial Planning and Management Skills

Develops and presents a budget.

Manages programs within budget constraints.

Applies budget processes. Develops strategies for determining budget priorities.

Monitors program performance. Prepares proposals for funding from external sources. Applies basic human relations skills to:

management of organizations motivation of personnel resolution of conflicts

Manages information systems to use data for decision-making.

ES #2 Competencies: Leadership and Systems Thinking Skills

Creates a culture of ethical standards in organizations, communities.

Identifies internal, external issues that may

impact delivery of essential PH services (i.e., strategic planning).

References

CDC National Public Health Performance Standards Program Website: http://www.cdc.gov/od/ocphp/nphpsp/EssentialPublicHealthServices.htm#es2

Indiana Public Health System Quality Improvement Report (2007).

Council on Linkages Training Project Website: http://www.trainingfinder.org/competencies/list_ephs.htm#2

ES #2: Diagnose and InvestigateDiscussion

What does your program do to carry out Essential Service #2?