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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Critical Access Hospitals

Development of the Nursing Community Apgar Questionnaire (NCAQ): A Rural Nurse Recruitment and Retention Tool
Introduces the Nursing Community Apgar Questionnaire, a guide to assess strengths and weaknesses of Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) in rural communities to help them improve nursing recruitment and retention.
Author(s): Molly Prengaman, Jeri Bigbee, Edward Baker, David Schmitz
Citation: Rural and Remote Health, 14(1), 2633
Date: 03/2014
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The Evidence for Community Paramedicine in Rural Areas: State and Local Findings and the Role of the State Flex Program
Examines the role of the Flex program in supporting state Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in rural communities. Analyses the evidence base for community paramedicine in rural communities, the role of community paramedics in rural healthcare delivery systems, and the challenges faced by states in implementing community paramedicine programs.
Author(s): Karen Pearson, John Gale, George Shaler
Date: 02/2014
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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Discharge to Swing Bed or Skilled Nursing Facility: Who Goes Where?
Examines health conditions of patients discharged from rural Prospective Payment System (PPS) hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) to swing beds and skilled nursing facilities (SNFs).
Author(s): Victoria A. Freeman, Randy K. Randolph, Mark Holmes
Date: 02/2014
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Rural Health Research Program
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Implications for Beneficiary Travel Time if Financially-Vulnerable Critical Access Hospitals Close
Examines potential increases in beneficiary travel times and distances if financially-vulnerable Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) close. Analysis is based on a review of 93 CAHs identified as financially-vulnerable and likely to close if reimbursement methods or eligibility requirements change.
Author(s): Victoria A. Freeman, Randy K. Randolph, George Pink, Mark Holmes
Date: 12/2013
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Rural Health Research Program
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Critical Access Hospital Year 8 Hospital Compare Participation and Quality Measure Results
Examines the participation and quality measure results in 2011 for the Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Hospital Compare public reporting database for hospital quality measures.
Additional links: Policy Brief
Author(s): Michelle Casey, Peiyin Hung, Ira Moscovice
Date: 09/2013
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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Trends in Observation Care Among Medicare Fee-for-Service Beneficiaries at Critical Access Hospitals, 2007 – 2009
Highlights a study on the prevalence and duration of observational care in Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) compared to Prospective Payment System (PPS) hospitals using Medicare claims data from 2007-2009, as well as 2007 American Hospital Association data to identify hospitals as CAHs or PPS hospitals and whether they were in rural or urban areas.
Author(s): Brad Wright, Hye-Young Jung, Zhanlian Feng, Vincent Mor
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 29(s1), s1-s6
Date: 08/2013
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Most Critical Access Hospitals Would Not Meet the Location Requirements if Required to Re-Enroll in Medicare
Recommends that CMS seek legislative authority to remove the permanent distance exemption for Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) that currently have Necessary Provider designations.
Date: 08/2013
Sponsoring organization: Office of Inspector General (HHS)
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Mobilizing Community Partnerships in Rural Communities: Strategies and Techniques
Describes how rural communities can develop and maintain organizational and community partnerships with local health departments, community health centers, healthcare organizations, offices of rural health, hospitals, and non-profit organizations. Recommendations are based on interviews with Federal Office of Rural Health Policy grantees involved in successful rural community partnership initiatives.
Author(s): Mikhaila Richards
Date: 07/2013
Sponsoring organization: National Association of County and City Health Officials
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Critical Access Hospital (CAH) Emergency Services and Telemedicine: Implications for Emergency Services Condition of Participation (CoPs) and Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) On-Call Compliance
Memorandum clarifying the CMS Conditions of Participation (CoP) for Critical Access Hospital emergency services and Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) On-Call Compliance.
Date: 06/2013
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Critical Access Hospital Blueprint for Performance Excellence
Highlights from a Critical Access Hospital (CAH) Performance Excellence Summit held in Minneapolis on June 6-7, 2013. The goal of the Summit was to assemble national rural hospital experts to create a recommended blueprint for sustainable CAH excellence. Components discussed were leadership, strategic planning, partners, measurement, workforce, operations, and impact. Hosted by the Technical Assistance and Services Center (TASC).
Date: 06/2013
Sponsoring organizations: National Rural Health Resource Center, Technical Assistance and Services Center
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