case study
Evaluating a Complex National Infectious Disease Preparedness Education Program
service category
Advancing Purpose: Evaluation & Quality Improvement; Needs Assessment & Asset Mapping
client
National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center
challenge
The National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center (NETEC) funded by the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was established to help hospitals and public health systems throughout the U.S. to prepare to combat infectious diseases, such as the 2019 novel Coronavirus, Lassa Fever, and Ebola virus. NETEC accomplishes this by assessing health care facility readiness, offering education and resources, providing technical assistance and consultations, and building a rapid response research infrastructure. NETEC contracted Emory Centers to provide evaluation support, including creating and implementing an evaluation plan to gather and measure data for program monitoring and improvement.
case study
Evaluating a Complex National Infectious Disease Preparedness Education Program
service category
Advancing Purpose: Evaluation & Quality Improvement; Needs Assessment & Asset Mapping
client
Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center
challenge
The National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center (NETEC) funded by the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was established to help hospitals and public health systems throughout the U.S. to prepare to combat infectious diseases, such as the 2019 novel Coronavirus, Lassa Fever, and Ebola virus. NETEC accomplishes this by assessing health care facility readiness, offering education and resources, providing technical assistance and consultations, and building a rapid response research infrastructure. NETEC contracted Emory Centers to provide evaluation support, including creating and implementing an evaluation plan to gather and measure data for program monitoring and improvement.
The Solution
A Framework for Quality Assurance and Continuous Improvement
The Emory Centers – PEQI team developed a framework for quality assurance and continuous improvement (monitoring and evaluation), and also created methods and tools to standardize project communication, documentation, data management, analysis, and reporting across all of NETEC’s activities. We developed processes to evaluate NETEC’s educational offerings, including participant reaction and intent to use training content as well as faculty feedback. This involves survey development, data management, data analysis, and summary reporting, and compiling data from multiple sources to conduct an annual educational needs assessment that informs future educational activities. We also assisted in creating tools and methods to gather, manage, and analyze data on readiness consultations conducted in healthcare facilities throughout the U.S. In addition, Emory Centers supported NETEC in moving all activities to virtual platforms in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and adapted all evaluation activities to align with the new processes.
impact and results
Emory Centers – PEQI improved the evaluation capacity of NETEC over the past five years, creating a robust evaluation framework that streamlines data gathering and analysis processes. Our evaluation reports have been instrumental in guiding program improvement strategies by informing the content and delivery methods of educational activities, tracking performance measures, and providing recommendations to ensure that all activities align with NETEC’s mission and goals. The results of our evaluations have also been invaluable in obtaining continued funding for NETEC by demonstrating program progress, achievements, and impact to the funders.
PEQI CASE STUDIES
Evaluating a Professional Development Model for Community-Based Primary Care Nurses
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NELL HODGSON WOODRUFF SCHOOL OF NURSING, EMORY UNIVERSITY
Evaluating a Complex National Infectious Disease Preparedness Education Program
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NATIONAL EMERGING SPECIAL PATHOGENS TRAINING AND EDUCATION CENTER