Rural Project Examples Addressing Networking and collaboration

Pharmacists for Patient Safety Network
Updated/reviewed September 2020

Need: Pharmacists in rural Nebraska are often isolated and find it difficult to communicate with others about safety concerns.
Intervention: The Pharmacists for Patient Safety Network was a communication network in which pharmacists identified safety concerns and shared solutions.
Results: After one year of implementation, 30 of the 38 participating pharmacies reported that the network encouraged new safety practices and reinforced existing safety strategies.

Medical Legal Partnership of Southern Illinois
Updated/reviewed June 2019

Need: Legal barriers often prevent economically disadvantaged people in Southern Illinois from obtaining positive health outcomes despite receiving medical care.
Intervention: The Medical Legal Partnership of Southern Illinois (MLPSI) was formed to create a system where medical providers can refer patients in need of legal assistance to local attorneys.
Results: Over 4,300 patients have utilized MLPSI since its founding in 2002. The program has relieved over $8.1 million in medical debt for both hospitals and patients.

Maryland Faith Health Network
Updated/reviewed May 2018

Need: To coordinate formal and informal community-based caregivers for optimal patient experience.
Intervention: The Maryland Faith Health Network unites places of worship and healthcare systems in Maryland. This program aims to decrease the amount of potentially avoidable hospitalizations, improve a patient's overall wellness, and cut down on the cost of medical services.
Results: This model is currently running in 3 hospitals that serve both rural and urban residents in central Maryland. So far, 1,300 congregants from 70 congregations representing Christian, Jewish, and Muslim faiths have enrolled in the Network.

Heartland OK
Updated/reviewed November 2020

Need: To reduce rural Oklahoma patients' risks for heart disease and stroke.
Intervention: Heartland OK, which began in 5 rural counties, is a care coordination model.
Results: Using a team-based care model increases patients' ability to reduce their blood pressure or achieve blood pressure control.

Alaska Health Workforce Coalition
Updated/reviewed September 2020

Need: To ensure a well-qualified and sustainable Alaskan workforce to meet the current and future health care needs of its residents.
Intervention: Establishment of the Alaska Health Workforce Coalition (AHWC), a public-private partnership to develop, facilitate, implement, and support a statewide health workforce system.
Results: Coalition efforts impacted multiple state policies and programs, included a loan repayment and incentives program, and completed a health vacancy study in order to expand and further develop health-related education programs.

Morrison County Accountable Community for Health
Updated/reviewed August 2020

Need: To combat prescription drug misuse in rural Morrison County, Minnesota.
Intervention: The Morrison County ACH brings together primary care, social services, law enforcement, and other partners to make sure that patients receive treatment and support.
Results: One pharmacy saw a 40% reduction in the number of prescribed opioids, and the ACH was able to taper 684 patients off opioids completely.

MORE Care
Updated/reviewed July 2020

Need: To improve rural residents' oral healthcare.
Intervention: MORE Care creates interprofessional oral health networks to 1) better integrate oral health into primary healthcare and 2) coordinate oral health between primary and dental healthcare.
Results: MORE Care has led to increases in fluoride varnish administration, improvement in interprofessional communication, and patients' improved self-management of their daily oral health.

Alabama Partnership for TeleHealth
Updated/reviewed June 2020

Need: To increase access to healthcare via telehealth in the rural, underserved areas of Alabama.
Intervention: A nonprofit organization that promotes and supports telehealth programs across Alabama.
Results: The establishment and support of telehealth networks at multiple sites across Alabama providing clinical telehealth services including behavioral health, stroke/neurology, and cardiology.

Columbia Gorge Collective Impact Health Specialist
Updated/reviewed June 2020

Need: To address the specific health needs of north central Oregon and south central Washington.
Intervention: The Collective Impact Health Specialist identifies community needs, convenes community partners to design initiatives that address those needs, and secures funding for health-related initiatives.
Results: Thanks to the CIHS, the Columbia Gorge region has received $12.5 million since 2014.

Health Advocacy Summit
Updated/reviewed June 2020

Need: To help young adults with chronic or rare conditions access health and educational resources and build a community of peers and advocates.
Intervention: Health Advocacy Summits bring together young adults, medical professionals, patient advocates, and others for a free one-day conference. HAS also facilitates programming such as the Crohn's and Colitis Young Adults Network.
Results: HAS currently has summits in six states. HAS reported that it was one of the first advocacy interventions for young adults with chronic conditions in south Texas.

Rural Project Examples: Networking and collaboration