In terms of accreditation prerequisites, a strategic plan was most frequently developed, followed by a state/territorial health assessment and health improvement plan, respectively. Two of the 3 prerequisites for accreditation (ie, use of SHIP and a strategic plan) were assessed in 2007 and 2010. Reported completion of the SHIP in the last 3 years increased between 2007 and 2010. Three additional respondents reported not developing a SHIP in 2010 compared with 2007. Two additional
respondents reported completing a strategic plan (regardless of the timeframe) between 2007 and
2010. These results suggest that respondents are slowly preparing for accreditation and that an improved understanding of the prerequisites may be emerging. It is important to note that these prerequisites have not been evaluated against PHAB’s definitions and self-report of their completion does not indicate that the documents may satisfy the PHAB prerequisite requirement. As health departments become accredited, however, reports of the ASTHOProfile datawill also include health department accreditation status. This type of reporting is similar to the American Hospital Association’s (AHA’s) Guide to the nation’s hospitals and health systems that documents both the self report of hospital and health systems performance from the annual American Hospital Association’s surveys as well as the Joint Commission accreditation status.28 ASTHO is currently