Step 1 - Gather Data

"Gather Data" is the first step of the DOH 5-Step Performance Improvement Process. Before beginning activities toward any goal, it is necessary to gather and review data. Data provides the facts that drive the decision-making process. Gathering data from multiple sources broadens your perspective on an issue, and provides the "big picture" your team will analyze in Step 2.

Getting Started
To provide a complete picture of an organization's performance, your team should gather and review data from multiple sources. The County Health Department (CHD) Performance Snapshots (sample 178kb PDF) are web-based tools that allow CHDs to annually gather and display data from numerous data sources, and view community health and business performance trend data. These tools are supported by the Office of Performance Improvement.

Performance measures included in the Snapshots are organized around six key areas of organizational performance according to the 2010-2011 Sterling Criteria Category 7 - Results, and are aligned with the 10 Essential Public Health Services and National Public Health Department Accreditation domains. The six sections of the Performance Snapshots are:

1 - Product and Service Outcomes
2 - Customer-Focused Outcomes
3 - Financial & Market Outcomes
4 - Workforce-Focused Outcomes
5 - Process Effectiveness Outcomes
6 - Leadership Outcomes

Gathering Data for the Performance Snapshot
The 2012 County Performance Snapshot Standards and Measures Fact Sheet is a tool to assist your team with gathering data for the CHD Snapshot.

Understanding and effectively using the Fact Sheet is crucial for successfully completing the Performance Snapshot. Fact Sheets provide the "roadmap", or instructions, for gathering and entering Snapshot data. The description and purpose of each section and standard of the Performance Snapshot are found in the Fact Sheets, as well as the following information for each individual measure:

- Detailed description of the measure, including the significance of 
  improving the measure's health or business outcome
- Data points required for input (years, calendar v. fiscal, etc.)
- Methodology for any calculation required
- Performance target and target source
- Data source (and hyperlink to the source when available)
- Whether the measure requires CHD or CO Program input, or is
  prepopulated (prepopulated data is entered into the Performance
  Snapshot directly from the data source, and doesn't require CHD or
  CO Program input)

Other Data To Consider
In addition to Performance Snapshots, other useful data sources your team should gather include:

- Your CHD or CO Program's Customer Satisfaction survey results
- Your CHD or CO Program's Employee Survey results
- Your Community Health Improvement Plan (CHDs)
- Your CHD or CO Program's Strategic Plan
- Your CHD or CO Program's DOH Administrative Snapshot
- Other Process Measures your CHD or CO monitors

Visit our Data Sources page for links to many more data sources, as well as other resources your team may find helpful.

What's Next?
At the conclusion of Step 1: Gather Data, your team will have collected data and completed your Performance Snapshot.  In addition, you will have gathered data from other performance measures and sources. This data will be reviewed and analyzed in Step 2: Analyze Data.

Have a question? Need help getting started?
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Staff in the Office of Performance Improvement is available to help you!
Contact us to request Technical Assistance (TA).

Page updated 11/2011