Introduction
A standard operating procedure (SOP) is a document that provides teams and individuals within a particular business with clear-cut instructions and guidelines for the management of specific procedures. Organizations have the flexibility to create their internal SOP documents, and they can do so by employing a format that is optimized for the members and teams of the organization. However, the following are some examples of designs typically utilized by businesses when developing standard operating procedure (SOP) documents. The hierarchical, step-by-step, and flowchart formats are examples of these. Documents outlining standard operating systems are a necessary component of every organization. These procedures guarantee that all of the firm’s stakeholders and team members are constantly on the same page. This is of more outstanding assistance when it comes to decision-making in organizations.
The BRFSS Prevalence & Trends Data tool
It is possible to refer to the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, often known as BRFSS, as a key national system that collects data on states’ health in the United States. The BRFSS is a well-known instrument for promoting and targeting various health-related activities. The information gathered pertains to chronic health issues, health-related risk behaviors, and the utilization of preventative services as a whole (CDC, 2017). It is well known that the BRFSS is the most extensive survey health system globally. According to the research conducted, there has been a rise in the demand from BRFSS users for additional inquiries and data.
The BRFSS is an effective tool for gathering information on newly-emerging concerns related to health. The health concerns include contagious diseases like the flu and shortages of vaccines. Many states in the United States have been able to better prepare for the possibility of pandemics due to this. The outcomes of the BRFSS can be helpful when it comes to the evaluation and development of initiatives in the public health sector (CDC, 2017). For instance, beginning in September of 2009, state, federal, and local government entities working in public health began using BRFSS to monitor the prevalence of influenza-related illnesses. In addition to this, it assesses the health of people living in various states across the United States. It makes sure that the available resources are utilized effectively to support health programs.
BRFSS tool usage by employees
The BRFSS instrument’s data collection focuses primarily on injuries, behavioral variables of health problems, chronic diseases, and infectious illnesses as its primary categories of interest. Employees have a responsibility to be aware that the BRFSS tool contains specific questions that have been developed by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Every state ought to take advantage of the questions contained inside the BRFSS instrument (Underwood et al., 2020). However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provide alternatives for states to include questions in the BRFSS tool based on the health needs of their citizens. In addition, the choices depend on the amount of money available to support the various health programs.
The BRFSS is the primary source that should preferably be used to gather prevalence information at the state level, and employees should be aware of this fact. By way of illustration, the BRFSS technology is used to keep track of and establish Healthy People 2010, a national aim for health (Cutler, et al.,2019). To address health concerns, several states have incorporated health and environmental topics into the BRFSS. New questions will need to be formulated and added to the existing list of inquiries contained inside the BRFSS tool to address unique problems in individual states. When gathering information with the BRFSS tool, telephone interviews are the method of choice.
Step-by-step Instructions for using the BRFSS tool
The following are the steps to be followed:
- Navigate to the webpage for the BRFSS Prevalence & Trends Data tool.
- Select a state from the map below to participate in the survey. In this case, the data will be gathered in Arizona.
- Choose Arizona from the list of states, then click the Go button.
States & Territories
Ten indicators for assessing the state of public health
The BRFSS tool includes the ten indications described in the following sections. In addition to this, it will explain how each indicator’s measurements should be taken.
- Cholesterol Awareness is an indicator that evaluates the number of people aware of the risks associated with regularly consuming a diet high in fried foods.
- Use of tobacco; the number of persons who partake in tobacco use as this indicator measures a drug. In addition to this, it assesses the rate at which tobacco use harms individuals’ health.
- HIV-AIDS; the number of persons this indicator has measured is the total number of infected people. Additionally, it counts the number of people who have participated in the examination.
- Cancer of the prostate; the number of men who have had prostate cancer screenings is what this indicator monitor.
- Electronic cigarettes determine the total number of persons who smoke traditional cigarettes. In addition to this, it assesses how individuals are aware of the adverse effects smoking can have on one’s health.
- Chronic Health Indicators are a way to track how many people are developing long-term conditions like diabetes.
- Immunization measures how many people, both children and adults, have received the flu vaccine.
- Alcohol drinking; this metric measures the number of men and women who consume alcoholic beverages.
- Health Care Access/Coverage is an indicator that measures the number of people in the U.S. who can afford health care services and have been covered by one of the various health insurance plans available. Medicare and Medicaid are two good examples.
- Overweight and Obesity tracks the number of persons who have been diagnosed with obesity-related disorders.
Community health needs assessment (CHNA)
Completing a community health needs assessment requires indicators to be successful (CHNA). This is because they serve as a foundation for survey questions. These indicators measure the health problems that are experienced in a variety of states. The responses from various individuals in multiple states demonstrate the community’s concerns over health. The indicators can also be used to determine the resources that will help satisfy the health demands of inhabitants residing in various locales, which is another use for them (CDC, 2020). The information from the indicators can be used by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to determine the rate at which people are aware of the possible diseases that they can contract (Centers for Disease Control).
The information obtained from the indicators can also be used by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to determine the state with the most need for additional support and attention. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) can use these indicators to understand better the kind of disease awareness campaigns that should be carried out among the populations of the various states (CDC, 2020). To effectively conduct a needs assessment for community health, it is necessary to use the measurements provided by the multiple indicators contained within the BRFSS tool.
The new federal CHNA regulations have given public health an opportunity to examine our needs assessment and strategic planning procedures with an eye toward greater compliance and transparency and the use of emerging technology. With this in mind, we hope to design and implement an open, thorough, and collaborative method to assessing the needs and assets of our communities. From data collection and analysis through prioritization of needs and the formulation of a strategy for implementation, the goal was to create a methodical approach that would generate significant outcomes (CDC, 2020). As part of Kaiser Permanente’s novel approach to CHNAs, the company has created a publicly accessible, free web platform for CHNA data. Core 130 publicly available indicators are accessible through the data platform, which provides a framework for understanding health in terms of social and economic determinants, health behaviors, physical environment, clinical care, and results.
Conclusion
The BRFSS is a valuable instrument for identifying chronic diseases and individuals’ health behaviors residing in different states. The BRFSS tool is an essential tool used to determine the varied demands in terms of medical care that citizens of the various states in the United States have. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) play a significant part in formulating questions that will be included in the instrument. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) use the replies from the interviews they have performed to assist them in deciding what kinds of resources they should provide to the various states. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) mission is to eliminate infectious diseases from the general population. The employees should know that the interviews will be performed over the phone.
References
CDC, A. W. (2020). Centers for disease control and prevention.
CDC. (2017). BRFSS Prevalence & Trends Data: Home | DPH | CDC. BRFSS Prevalence & Trends Data: Home | DPH | CDC; www.cdc.gov.
Cutler, D., Skinner, J. S., Stern, A. D., & Wennberg, D. (2019). Physician beliefs and patient preferences: a new look at regional variation in health care spending. American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, 11(1), 192-221.
Underwood, J. M., Brener, N., Thornton, J., Harris, W. A., Bryan, L. N., Shanklin, S. L.,… & Dittus, P. (2020). Overview and methods for the youth risk behavior surveillance system—United States, 2019. MMWR supplements, 69(1), 1.