Rural Project Examples Addressing Networking and collaboration

Pharmacists for Patient Safety Network
Updated/reviewed August 2019

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 is a communication network in which pharmacists can identify safety concerns and share 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.

Eastern Plains Sexual Assault Response Team (EPSART)
Updated/reviewed December 2019

Need: To support victims after sexual assault and to collaborate and streamline processes for victim-centered care.
Intervention: The EPSART holds monthly team meetings, case review, and opportunities for team training.
Results: Enhanced victim and public safety by facilitating investigations and successful prosecutions.

Florissa
Updated/reviewed December 2019

Need: To address the developmental, behavioral, and social/emotional needs of rural children ages 0-18 in northwest Illinois.
Intervention: A centralized facility serves as a one-stop shop for children and families facing developmental, behavioral, and social/emotional issues.
Results: Florissa continues to increase its referral numbers, expand its sessions and service offerings, and provide more information resources. It also co-located with the KSB Hospital pediatric department and became certified as a pediatric patient-centered medical home (PCMH).

Healthcare Georgia Foundation's CDFI Investments
Added December 2019

Need: In rural Georgia, poor health outcomes and high poverty rates require innovative approaches.
Intervention: As the only statewide private foundation in Georgia with the sole focus of improving health, Healthcare Georgia Foundation supports Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) to do the same.
Results: With a program related investment from the Foundation, 2 statewide CDFIs and 1 national CDFI are providing low-interest loans and other support to rural healthcare efforts.

Healthy Monadnock
Added December 2019

Need: Improved health outcomes for Monadnock Region, a rural area of New Hampshire.
Intervention: A wide-scale effort across multiple sectors is aiming to make the region the "healthiest community in the nation."
Results: Indicators were established to track health tends in the community. Progress on their goals such as diabetes reduction, increasing the number of residents with healthcare coverage, and smoking cessation have been made.

Healthy Places for Healthy People in Monett
Updated/reviewed December 2019

Need: Monett, Missouri's high tobacco use rates, lack of access to fresh foods, limited walkability and bikeability, and aging downtown infrastructure were all affecting residents' health.
Intervention: With planning assistance from Healthy Places for Healthy People, CoxHealth Monett led a coalition to revitalize downtown infrastructure and create opportunities for healthy living.
Results: Changes have helped to improve patient health, increase exercise opportunities, enhance downtown, and engage Monett's Hispanic population.

San Luis Valley Public Health Partnership
Updated/reviewed December 2019

Need: Public health departments in Colorado's rural San Luis Valley region desired to share public health services to improve health outcomes in the region.
Intervention: Six counties joined in a public health cross-jurisdictional sharing arrangement. The partnership has served as a forum for sharing and evaluating opportunities to improve health access and core public health services.
Results: The partnership has enabled health departments to share expertise and develop regional projects to provide a broader range of public health services.

ASPIN's Certified Recovery Specialist Program
Updated/reviewed November 2019

Need: Improved approach in addressing the behavioral health and primary care disparities of Indiana's underserved rural counties.
Intervention: A network was established that trained community health workers (CHW) to be certified health insurance enrollment navigators and provide mental health services.
Results: This year, ASPIN trained 61 CHWs, cross-trained 37 behavioral health case managers as CHWs, and 26 individuals in the Indiana Navigator Pre-certification Education.

Rural Project Examples: Networking and collaboration