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Rural Health Information Hub

Other Case Studies and Collections of Program Examples: Critical Access Hospitals

In addition to RHIhub's Rural Health Models and Innovations rural program examples, you may also want to browse other case studies, databases, and websites with collections of health programs.

Each resource listed below uses its own criteria for selecting program examples, which may range from programs known to be effective based on research to anecdotal accounts. In each resource, you may want to review information on the level of evidence required for a program's inclusion.

May include non-rural programs that could be applicable to rural health delivery.

Ensuring Access and Improving Population Health Through Collaboration and Patient-Centered Care Columbia Memorial Hospital, Astoria, OR
Describes Columbia Memorial Hospital (CMH), an independent Critical Access Hospital (CAH), in Astoria, Oregon, that works to ensure access to specialty and primary care for Pacific North Coast and Lower Columbia regions of northwest Oregon. Shares strategies and collaborative efforts to address the community's needs by ensuring access to care, improving population health, and designing consumer driven patient-centered care.
Date: 05/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association Rural Health Services
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Ensuring Access to Care: Wagner Community Memorial Hospital – Avera, Wagner, S.D.
Describes Wagner Community Memorial Hospital – Avera (WCMH-A), a 20-bed Critical Access Hospital (CAH) in Wagner, South Dakota, that works to ensure access to care while addressing the social determinants of health for the populations they serve. Shares strategies and collaborative efforts to address the community's needs through the use of telemedicine, housing and economic development, population health, and access to primary care.
Date: 05/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association Rural Health Services
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Promising Practice: Michigan Center for Rural Health Plays Unique Role in Hospital Quality Improvement
Details the unique role the Michigan Center for Rural Health (MCRH) plays as a liaison between the state's 21 Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) and the Michigan Hospital Association (MHA) to facilitate quality of care, reduce patient readmission rates, and improve patient safety throughout the state.
Author(s): Beth Blevins
Date: 03/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health
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Illinois Rural Community Care Organization – Princeton, IL: Statewide Rural Accountable Care Organization
Provides an overview of the work and impact of the Illinois Rural Community Care Organization (IRCCO), a Medicare shared savings Accountable Care Organization (ACO). IRCCO includes 24 Critical Access Hospitals and rural hospitals and associated physician practices and clinics.
Date: 03/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Minnie Hamilton Health Care Center: SRHT Project Well Under Way
Profiles Minnie Hamilton Health Care Center's (MHHCC) progress as part of the Small Rural Hospital Transition Project, completed in 2017, focused on improving quality of care and transitions of care throughout its facilities. MHHCC is an 18-bed, not-for-profit Critical Access Hospital in Grantsville, West Virginia. MHHCC also operates a Rural Health Clinic in Grantsville and a Federally Qualified Health Center in Glenville.
Date: 02/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Resource Center
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Coteau des Prairies Keeping Services Close to Home
Follows South Dakota-based Coteau des Prairies Health System's (CDP) progress as part of the Small Rural Hospital Transition (SRHT) project. CDP completed a financial operational assessment (FOA) with the goal of positioning the hospital for future financial success. Primary areas of improvement include revenue cycle management, HCAHPS scores, executive communication, and swing bed utilization.
Additional links: One-Page Summary
Date: 08/2017
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Resource Center
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Madison County Memorial Hospital: Making the Most of FOA
Documents Madison County Memorial Hospital's (MCMH) successes from participating in the Small Rural Hospital Transition (SRHT) project. Top accomplishments include improving relationships with the community and other providers, business office operations, leadership development, and transitions of care, as well as developing outpatient rehab services. MCMH is a 25-bed, nonprofit Critical Access Hospital located in Madison, Florida.
Date: 03/2017
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Resource Center
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Russell County Hospital Aligning for Future Success
Details the improvements made by Russell County Hospital (RCH), a 25-bed Critical Access Hospital located in Russell Springs, Kentucky, as part of the Small Rural Hospital Transition (SRHT) project. Major accomplishments include expanding primary care and surgery services, developing a strategic plan, establishing and monitoring quality indicators, and optimizing participation in the 340B Drug Pricing Program. RCH is also working with the community and the media to promote their quality scores, which are consistently high.
Date: 02/2017
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Resource Center
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Union General Hospital "It's a Girl Thing: Making Proud Choices"
Outlines Union General Hospital's "It's a Girl Thing: Making Proud Choices" program, which seeks to curb sexually transmitted diseases and teenage pregnancy in Farmerville, Louisiana. The program focuses on educating high school girls on topics such as self-esteem, dating and violence, finances, the consequences of teen pregnancy, and more. Also includes a brief discussion with one of the program developers.
Date: 10/2016
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Resource Center
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North Sunflower Medical Center Successfully Addressing Chronic Care Management
Documents North Sunflower Medical Center's (NSMC) progress as part of the Small Rural Hospital Transition (SRHT) project, particularly in the areas of discharge planning and follow-up, placing patients in the correct level of care, and chronic disease management. NSMC is a 25-bed Critical Access Hospital located in Ruleville, Mississippi.
Date: 09/2016
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Resource Center
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