Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Critical Access Hospitals
Bridging the Gap: A Mixed-Methods Evaluation of a New Rural Maternity Care Center Amid Nationwide Closures
Examines healthcare quality and access following the reopening of a maternity care center at a Critical Access Hospital (CAH) in a rural community that experienced a maternity unit closure. Includes data comparisons of rural maternity care center (MCC) versus suburban tertiary care center patient demographics, delivery outcomes, and patient experiences. Discusses policy efforts to improve access to rural maternal health.
Author(s): Kathryn Wouk, Ellen Chetwynd, Emily C. Sheffield, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 23(1),102
Date: 01/2026
view details
Examines healthcare quality and access following the reopening of a maternity care center at a Critical Access Hospital (CAH) in a rural community that experienced a maternity unit closure. Includes data comparisons of rural maternity care center (MCC) versus suburban tertiary care center patient demographics, delivery outcomes, and patient experiences. Discusses policy efforts to improve access to rural maternal health.
Author(s): Kathryn Wouk, Ellen Chetwynd, Emily C. Sheffield, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 23(1),102
Date: 01/2026
view details
Oregon Critical Access Hospital Quality Reporting Programs, FY25 Flex (Sept. 1, 2025-Aug. 31, 2026)
Serves as a guide to help Oregon Critical Access Hospital (CAH) quality improvement officers develop and support quality improvement activities and make informed decisions when reporting their quality improvement efforts.
Date: 01/2026
Sponsoring organization: Oregon Office of Rural Health
view details
Serves as a guide to help Oregon Critical Access Hospital (CAH) quality improvement officers develop and support quality improvement activities and make informed decisions when reporting their quality improvement efforts.
Date: 01/2026
Sponsoring organization: Oregon Office of Rural Health
view details
Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS): 2026 Reporting MIPS Quality Measures through Medicare Part B Claims Quick Start Guide for Small Practices
Provides details on how small practices can report quality measures through Medicare Part B claims measures. Highlights changes to these measures in 2026, score redistribution policies for small practices, and information for clinicians at Critical Access Hospitals.
Date: 12/2025
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
view details
Provides details on how small practices can report quality measures through Medicare Part B claims measures. Highlights changes to these measures in 2026, score redistribution policies for small practices, and information for clinicians at Critical Access Hospitals.
Date: 12/2025
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
view details
In Rural Communities, Where Child Care Is Often Scarce, Healthcare Organizations Are Finding Creative Ways to Help
Features rural healthcare organizations in Indiana, North Dakota, and Wisconsin that have partnered with childcare providers, schools, and other organizations to support affordable child care in their communities.
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 12/2025
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
view details
Features rural healthcare organizations in Indiana, North Dakota, and Wisconsin that have partnered with childcare providers, schools, and other organizations to support affordable child care in their communities.
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 12/2025
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
view details
Measuring State Flex Program Impact: Tools to Support Outcome Measurement and Evaluation
Toolkit designed to help State Flex Programs (SFPs) with manage and document project performance and comply with the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy's expectations regarding outcome measurement and reporting. Provides blank worksheets for SFPs as they work through the steps for their projects, as well as links to outcome measurement resources.
Author(s): John Gale, Bridget Harr
Date: 12/2025
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
view details
Toolkit designed to help State Flex Programs (SFPs) with manage and document project performance and comply with the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy's expectations regarding outcome measurement and reporting. Provides blank worksheets for SFPs as they work through the steps for their projects, as well as links to outcome measurement resources.
Author(s): John Gale, Bridget Harr
Date: 12/2025
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
view details
When the Hospital CEO Becomes the Patient: Rural Maternal Care Up Close
A conversation with Eilidh Pederson, CEO of Western Wisconsin Health, focused on her experience giving birth at a rural Critical Access Hospital. Discusses high-quality maternal healthcare access in rural communities.
Author(s): Tom Haederle, Julia Resnick, Eilidh Pederson
Date: 12/2025
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
view details
A conversation with Eilidh Pederson, CEO of Western Wisconsin Health, focused on her experience giving birth at a rural Critical Access Hospital. Discusses high-quality maternal healthcare access in rural communities.
Author(s): Tom Haederle, Julia Resnick, Eilidh Pederson
Date: 12/2025
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
view details
R3 Report: National Patient Safety Goal for Suicide Prevention
Establishes safety goals and practices for suicide prevention in Joint Commission-accredited hospitals. Highlights specific requirements for accredited Critical Access Hospitals.
Date: 12/2025
Sponsoring organization: Joint Commission
view details
Establishes safety goals and practices for suicide prevention in Joint Commission-accredited hospitals. Highlights specific requirements for accredited Critical Access Hospitals.
Date: 12/2025
Sponsoring organization: Joint Commission
view details
MBQIP Fundamentals Guide for State Flex Programs: A Guide for Flex Coordinators on the Current Status of the MBQIP
Provides an overview of the history and current status of the Medicare Beneficiary Quality Improvement Project (MBQIP). Offers links to resources to support Flex program personnel and relevant subcontractors understand the basics of MBQIP.
Date: 11/2025
Sponsoring organization: Rural Quality Improvement Technical Assistance (RQITA) Resource Center
view details
Provides an overview of the history and current status of the Medicare Beneficiary Quality Improvement Project (MBQIP). Offers links to resources to support Flex program personnel and relevant subcontractors understand the basics of MBQIP.
Date: 11/2025
Sponsoring organization: Rural Quality Improvement Technical Assistance (RQITA) Resource Center
view details
RHCs and CAHs Participating in the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP): Characteristics of the Providers and Communities
Describes the characteristics of Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) currently participating in the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) in 2023. Compares CAH and RHC characteristics by MSSP participation, ownership status, and freestanding versus provider-based RHC status.
Author(s): Edmer Lazaro, Dan Shane, Fred Ullrich, Keith Mueller
Date: 11/2025
Sponsoring organization: RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
view details
Describes the characteristics of Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) currently participating in the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) in 2023. Compares CAH and RHC characteristics by MSSP participation, ownership status, and freestanding versus provider-based RHC status.
Author(s): Edmer Lazaro, Dan Shane, Fred Ullrich, Keith Mueller
Date: 11/2025
Sponsoring organization: RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
view details
Facilitators of Strong Quality and Financial Outcomes in Critical Access Hospitals
Examines leadership traits, management strategies, and other governance and collaboration-based supports for positive quality and financial outcomes in Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), utilizing insights from interviews of leaders at 10 CAHs which met high financial and quality benchmarks. Provides interview excerpts and identifies themes.
Author(s): Robert Barclay, Zoe Pringle, Megan Lahr, et al.
Date: 11/2025
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
view details
Examines leadership traits, management strategies, and other governance and collaboration-based supports for positive quality and financial outcomes in Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), utilizing insights from interviews of leaders at 10 CAHs which met high financial and quality benchmarks. Provides interview excerpts and identifies themes.
Author(s): Robert Barclay, Zoe Pringle, Megan Lahr, et al.
Date: 11/2025
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
view details