Year: 2013
Funding: Delivery and Cost Studies (DACS)
Status: Completed
Overview
The growth in quality improvement (QI) initiatives in local health departments (LHDs) brings with it a need for better understanding the implementation costs associated with QI activities. Led by the University of Nebraska Medical Center, the Nebraska Public Health Practice-Based Research Network is attempting to meet that need through a project that is measuring and estimating these implementation costs while also examining cost variation across LHD settings. Using both key informant interviews and surveys, investigators are collecting cost information on four specific LHD QI projects, following the procedures of economic evaluation to conduct the cost estimation and analysis. The resulting cost estimates and related tools will be valuable for LHDs that are considering similar QI activities, ultimately supporting better allocation of limited resources toward suitable initiatives. This study also will provide insights into the examination of scale economies for QI implementation, which will benefit LHDs nationwide.
Reports
- A Systematic Study of Quality Improvement Implementation among Local Health Departments in Nebraska, Research Brief, July 2014
- Costs of Quality Improvement Implementation among Local Health Departments in Nebraska, Research Brief, July 2014
Research Areas
Contact Us
David Palm, Ph.D.
david.palm@nebraska.gov
Li Wu Chen, Ph.D.
liwuchen@uncmc.edu