Rural Project Examples Addressing Healthcare networks

Added August 2024

Need: Solutions for Medicare beneficiaries' post-acute care recovery gaps in Arkansas's southeast Delta Region.
Intervention: Supported by federal funding and their membership organization, seven hospitals implemented an evidence-supported Critical Access Hospital transitional care model.
Results: Participating hospitals found a significant increase in swing bed services revenue, an all-cause low readmission rate, high percentage of patients discharged to home or to an assisted living environment, and positive patient satisfaction surveys.

Updated/reviewed March 2026

Need: Population health approach to decrease cardiovascular disease deaths in a rural Ohio healthcare delivery system's service area.
Intervention: A rural health system's investment in level II cardiac catheterization services and the required specialized cardiology workforce.
Results: In August 2018, Avita Health System started their cardiovascular service offerings in rural north central Ohio. Early results included decreased tertiary care hospital transfers. Building on the success of their increased ability to provide acute care, care coordination for patients with significant cardiovascular risks, preventive education with risk factor identification and modification, the health system continues to expand its local cardiovascular care.

Updated/reviewed September 2025

Need: To improve sustainability and financial viability for rural healthcare providers throughout Indiana.
Intervention: A network of rural healthcare providers for Critical Access and other hospitals in Indiana that are dedicated to improving their ability to deliver efficient and high-quality healthcare for their rural residents.
Results: The network has been leveraged to increase access to resources, coordinate services, and improve and expand healthcare access.

Updated/reviewed December 2024

Need: To help ensure the viability of and improve quality at 9 rural, independent hospitals serving 11 Utah counties.
Intervention: A network organization was created to allow member hospitals to communicate, network, and undertake projects together.
Results: Members take advantage of cost savings, education, and networking opportunities through group projects and programs.

Updated/reviewed October 2024

Need: To help hospitals in rural Idaho and Wyoming see how their prices compare to others in the region.
Intervention: The Hospital Cooperative (THC) completes an annual charge comparative, which lists the highest, lowest, average, and median price for a specific charge.
Results: THC has offered these reports since 2010.

Updated/reviewed October 2024

Need: Critical Access Hospitals in Idaho were not able to afford a fixed MRI system.
Intervention: The hospitals partnered to purchase a mobile MRI unit to travel among facilities.
Results: The MRI unit went into service in 2012, providing hundreds of scans per month and traveling among six member hospitals in rural Idaho.

Rural Project Examples: Healthcare networks