Incorporating ACPE Standards in a Holistic Approach to School Operations and Accreditation

Auburn University Harrison School of Pharmacy (AUHSOP) implemented a comprehensive, holistic process of continuous quality improvement (CQI) for its program using the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education's (ACPE) Accreditation Standards as the foundation. The process served as a way to increase the impact of the accreditation standards through continuous monitoring and programmatic improvements. Internally generated standards were also included in the CQI process. Design of the program included defining the program, establishing quality criteria, developing a table of measures that provided evaluation metrics, and assessing the program annually. Each year, faculty members, staff, students and other constituents assess the program for strengths, areas for improvement and insights. A CQI report is created and is made available to constituents, including ACPE through the Assessment and Management System (AAMS). Areas for improvement and new goals are then incorporated into the school's strategic plan and committee assignments for the year. Some of the suggestions included making the program appraisal more meaningful and on a continuous, ongoing basis compared to doing an appraisal for accreditation purposes at 8-year intervals. The process has increased constituent awareness of all aspects of the program and prompted numerous improvements since its adoption. A culture of assessment resulted from the process.