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Rural Health Information Hub

Other Case Studies and Collections of Program Examples: Maternal health and prenatal care

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.

Closing the Gap: How a Community Effort Can Improve Rural Maternity Care
Case study of a Critical Access Hospital (CAH) that increased access to maternal healthcare in rural North Carolina by opening a maternity care center. Discusses recruitment and retention of healthcare professionals and collaboration among healthcare organizations in the community.
Author(s): Jesus Ruiz
Citation: Annals of Family Medicine, 22(1), 68
Date: 01/2024
Type: Document
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In a Maternity Desert, a New Kind of Home Visitation Program Brings Care to At-Risk Mothers
Features Project Swaddle, a community paramedic program that provides education, support, and medical care to pregnant and postpartum patients in rural Indiana.
Author(s): Gretel Kauffman
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 08/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Maniilaq Health Center: Providing High-Quality Obstetric Care to American Indian/Alaska Native People in Rural Kotzebue, Alaska
Results of a case study highlighting a hospital providing care to rural American Indian and Alaska Native patients in Alaska. Examines the maternity care context with attention to the intersection of race and geography with social determinants of health to inform clinical and policy efforts to improve rural maternal health and health equity in Alaska and beyond.
Author(s): Hailey A. Baker, Katy Backes Kozhimannil, Bridget Basile Ibrahim
Date: 06/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Providing High-Quality Support to Pregnant People and Their Families in Racially Diverse Rural Communities
Presents a series of case studies of how hospitals and health systems with obstetric units in racially diverse rural communities work to meet patient needs and provide evidence-based, supportive services during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. Highlights communities in Colorado, Alaska, and Texas and discusses key features of programs at hospitals or health systems in each area.
Author(s): Mariana Tuttle, Phoebe Chastain, Hailey Baker, Katy Backes Kozhimannil, Bridget Basile Ibrahim
Date: 08/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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The Clinical and Business Cases for Opening a Maternity Care Unit in a CAH
A case study of a rural North Carolina partnership that worked together to add a new wing for a maternity unit at a 25-bed Critical Access Hospital. Explains how the service was planned to be financially viable. Describes maternal and infant health disparities in the region and discusses how this new service will meet the needs of the population with culturally and linguistically accessible care.
Date: 01/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Doulas Enhance the Birthing Experience: Brookings Health System, Brookings, SD
Case study profiling Brookings Health System, a rural health system in South Dakota, and its implementation of a free doula program. Discusses the impact of the doula program, patient and staff, satisfaction, lessons learned, and future goals for the program.
Date: 11/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Models of Success in Rural Maternity Care: Kearny County Hospital
Profiles the maternity program at Kearny County Hospital, a Critical Access Hospital in rural Lakin, Kansas. Describes key features of the program including mission-based recruitment and strong communication. Includes recommendations for emulating this model.
Author(s): Carrie Henning-Smith, Mary Gilbertson
Date: 11/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Models of Success in Rural Maternity Care: ANGELS Network & Millard-Henry Clinic
Describes the Antenatal and Neonatal Guidelines, Education, and Learning System (ANGELS) program, a high-risk pregnancy program based at the University of Arkansas for Medical Science designed to improve the ability of tertiary care facilities in the state to deliver low birth weight babies. Discusses the importance of communication between ANGELS staff and partner clinics and the role of telehealth services for specialty care.
Author(s): Megan Lahr, Mary Gilbertson
Date: 11/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Models of Success in Rural Maternity Care: Western Wisconsin Health
Profiles Western Wisconsin Health, a Critical Access Hospital in rural Wisconsin with a successful obstetrics unit. Describes the philosophy of the leadership and staff, as well as the scope of services. Includes recommendations for emulating this model.
Author(s): Katy B. Kozhimannil, Mary Gilbertson
Date: 11/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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A Best Practices Approach to Treating Maternal Hemorrhage
Provides an overview of how Titus Regional Medical Center in Mount Pleasant, Texas, developed and implemented protocols to improve maternal hemorrhage outcomes. Discusses the impact and lessons learned from implementing the protocols as well, as future maternal health improvement goals at the medical center.
Date: 02/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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