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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Critical Access Hospitals

Exploring the Community Impact of Critical Access Hospitals
Reports on a series of site visits to six diverse rural communities and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) to assess the experiences and impact of these hospitals in responding to their community's health infrastructure needs.
Additional links: Policy Brief: The Community Impact of Critical Access Hospitals, February 2007
Author(s): John Gale, Andrew Coburn, Walt Gregg, Rebecca Slifkin, Victoria Freeman
Date: 01/2007
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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MedPAC Report to the Congress: Rural Payment Provisions in the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003
Examines the impact of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) provisions on rural hospital payments. Present the effect of eight MMA provisions on Medicare inpatient and outpatient payments to traditional (non-CAH) hospitals. Summarizes the MMA changes to Critical Access Hospital (CAH) payment policies discussed in MedPAC's interim report. Examines the effects of higher payments on hospital costs.
Date: 12/2006
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Impact of Conversion to Critical Access Hospital Status on Hospital Financial Performance and Condition
Policy brief analyzing financial ratios associated with Critical Access Hospitals' profitability, liquidity, and capital structure.
Author(s): Mark Holmes, George H. Pink, Rebecca T. Slifkin
Date: 11/2006
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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Quality and Performance Improvement Grant Activities Under the Flex Program
Describes quality and performance improvement activities proposed by states during the 2005 grant year under the Medicare Rural Health Flexibility Program (Flex Program).
Date: 08/2006
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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The Current Status of Health Information Technology Use in CAHs
Examines the use of health information technology (HIT) in Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs). Includes information on HIT infrastructure and the computerization of different functions within CAHs.
Author(s): Michelle Casey, Jill Klingner, Walt Gregg, et al.
Date: 05/2006
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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A Review of State Flex Program Plans, 2004-2005
Examines the objectives and project activities proposed by states in their Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility Program (Flex Program) grant applications for Fiscal Year 2004 to strengthen the rural healthcare infrastructure in their states.
Author(s): Stephenie Loux, John Gale, Anush Yousefian, Andrew Coburn, Walter Gregg
Date: 03/2006
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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Critical Access Hospital Year 1 Hospital Compare Participation and Quality Measure Results
Examines the first year participation and quality measure results for Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Hospital Compare public reporting database for hospital quality measures. Includes the percent of CAHs participating in the program by state.
Author(s): Michelle Casey, Ira Moscovice
Date: 02/2006
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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CAH Participation in Hospital Compare and Initial Results
Examines the participation of Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) in public reporting of quality measures in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Hospital Compare database. Includes initial Hospital Compare results for CAHs and comparisons with other groups of hospitals.
Date: 02/2006
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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Trends in Skilled Nursing and Swing-bed Use in Rural Areas, 1996-2003
Examines trends in the delivery of skilled nursing facility (SNF) services in rural areas during a period of dramatic change in Medicare payments. Focuses on the role of rural hospitals in providing SNF services, as a number of regulatory changes occurred between 1998 and 2002 that could potentially influence hospital provision of skilled nursing care.
Author(s): Kathleen Dalton, Jeongyoung Park, Ann Howard, Rebecca Slifkin
Date: 12/2005
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Rural Health Research Program
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Mental Health Encounters in Critical Access Hospital Emergency Rooms: A National Survey
Examines the extent to which Critical Access Hospital (CAH) emergency rooms are used as a mental health safety net. Investigates the types of cases that present with mental health problems, as well as the resources available to emergency room staff in CAHs for addressing such problems.
Additional links: Research and Policy Brief: Smallest Rural Hospitals Treat Mental Health Emergencies
Author(s): David Hartley, Erika Ziller, Stephenie Loux, et al.
Date: 09/2005
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Maine Rural Health Research Center
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