Skip to main content
Rural Health Information Hub

Other Case Studies and Collections of Program Examples: 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.

Promising Practice: Rural Health Summits Bringing People Together Across Vermont to Exchange Ideas
Describes how the Vermont State Office of Rural Health and Primary Care (VT SORH/PC) and leaders from rural hospitals and local public health districts in Vermont co-convened several Rural Health Summits held around the state to discuss ways to share resources, information, and identify opportunities for collaboration.
Author(s): Beth Blevins
Date: 09/2017
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health
view details
Promoting a Nutritious Diet Inside and Outside the Hospital
Highlights a rural Vermont hospital's efforts to promote healthier eating habits both inside and outside the hospital by locally sourcing food, encouraging participation in their "Ton of Tomatoes" project, and processing produce to help food-insecure community members. Discusses efforts of other hospitals promoting healthy diets, including removing unhealthy cafeteria meal options and promoting community gardens.
Date: 09/2017
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
view details
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
view details
Hospital-Community Partnerships to Build a Culture of Health: A Compendium of Case Studies
Presents insights from nine communities across the U.S. that have successful hospital-community partnerships. Each case study provides a description of the community, background information on the partner organizations, and an overview of the impacts and lessons learned. Several case studies include rural communities, rural populations, and/or rural partner organizations.
Date: 08/2017
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Health Research & Educational Trust
view details
Magnolia Regional Medical Center Excels as a Hospital in Transition
Documents Magnolia Regional Medical Center's (MRMC) top accomplishments after participating in the Small Rural Hospital Transition (SRHT) project and completing a financial operational assessment (FOA). Major areas of improvement include net income, net patient revenue, days cash on hand, swing bed utilization, and overall quality ratings.
Date: 07/2017
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Resource Center
view details
Medical Center Barbour Reduces Readmission Rates
Highlights the accomplishments of Medical Center Barbour (MCB), a prospective payment system (PPS) hospital located in Eufaula, Alabama, as it progressed through a Small Rural Hospital Transition (SRHT) quality of care and transition of care project. MCB's top accomplishments include reducing readmissions, improving communication among staff and patients, and enhancing the discharge process.
Additional links: One-Page Summary
Date: 06/2017
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Resource Center
view details
Monroe County Hospital Achieving Outcomes
Examines the gains made by Monroe County Hospital, located in Monroeville, Alabama, as part of the Small Rural Hospital Transition project. During the project, the 35-bed prospective payment system (PPS) hospital focused on improving patient education and transitions of care, integrating pharmacists, implementing bedside reporting, and reducing readmission rates. The changes have resulted in improved community engagement and prepared MCH for value-based purchasing.
Date: 04/2017
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Resource Center
view details
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
view details
Global Budget Process as an Alternative Payment Model
Analyzes the all-payer hospital rate-setting system of McCready Health in rural Maryland. Discusses the Total Patient Revenue (TPR) system and corresponding essential functions such as rate setting, strategic planning, and care coordination.
Date: 03/2017
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Value
view details
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
view details