Determining whether the program is meeting its purpose and objectives, you must plan for a robust data collection system and measurement efforts. Through rigorous methods and evaluation of the assessment, counseling, and linkage approaches, we can determine the level of success and the impact of the program.
RBA is a useful framework to measure and improve the performance of a program. LOHPs can use the RBA framework as a step-by-step guide to using data to engage and collaborate with stakeholders to create an action plan and move into actionable steps that are continuously evaluated.
The RBA can be tied back to the LOHP by tracking the performance on:
- How much did we do?
- How well did we do?
- How are we better off?
Below are some examples of RBA indicators for school dental programs that can also be used for measuring the program's success within other frameworks (such as evaluation and QI). Learn more about RBA at the COHTAC RBA webpage.
Continuous quality improvement
The continuous quality improvement model is a philosophy and attitude for analyzing capabilities and processes and improving them repeatedly to achieve customer satisfaction. Continuous improvement is a core methodology of all quality improvement tools and techniques that will elevate all process improvement initiatives to create a workplace that better serves the customers and the employees.
After the Quality Improvement Team implements and achieves their SMART+C goals, completes a PDSA cycle, or implements Lean and process mapping, it is imperative to start identifying other areas to be improved and focusing on other quality issues to make incremental changes. Updating goals, refining processes, and eliminating forms of waste will help promote success for future generations of Californians.
To give some ideas on what changes can be implemented to improve performance measures and improve processes, the following is a list of available quality improvement tools from the most effective to the least effective:
Once your Quality Improvement Team has finished a cycle of improvement and have demonstrated improvement, submit to your supervisor:
- Overview of the problem and how it was identified
- What improvement tools and techniques were used
- What process changes or standard work was created and implemented
- Baseline performance compared to current performance
This information is being collected and will become our Best Practices Library, where others that may be having similar issues can research and learn from the work that has already been completed to refine the improvements and help standardize the process.
Continuous improvement can be halted when we become inflexible to changing environments. Flexibility is the backbone of continuous improvement to ensure our departments are providing the highest value to our customers. Being flexible means change is welcomed, you are ready for change, and you are willing to contribute to the department’s mission. Flexibility also means having the right resources to act quickly when change is needed.
These links provide some additional detail on quality improvement and continuous improvement:
Data reporting
In addition to reporting KOHA data to SCOHR and using your data in your QI plan, LOHPs are responsible for sharing their progress and data with the California Department of Public Health, Office of Oral Health. These will be tracked with the LOHP Annual Data Form, within your bi-annual progress reports, and in your summative evaluation report. More details on these forms and processes are forthcoming..
