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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Emergency medical services

Rural Emergency Hospital Conversion: Critical Factors for EMS Support
Policy position paper focused on emergency medical services (EMS) in communities with hospitals converting to Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) status. Outlines barriers to EMS delivery in rural areas including funding, workforce, and community engagement and support. Includes policy recommendations.
Author(s): Julie Bosak, Jed Hansen
Date: 02/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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How Actual Practice of Emergency Medical Services Personnel Aligns with the Recommended National Scope of Practice in Rural Versus Urban Areas of the U.S.
Results of a study examining the extent to which EMS professionals perform skills that correspond to their credential levels, and determining whether there are variations in adherence to guidelines between agencies serving rural or urban populations and agencies with unpaid versus paid staffing models. Examines credentials for emergency medical responders, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), advanced EMTs, and paramedics, and uses data from EMS encounters in 2018 from 1,056 EMS agencies nationally. Features statistics on various procedures and predictors of performing a procedure within the scope of practice model, with breakdowns by 4 levels of population density.
Author(s): Davis G. Patterson, Benjamin A. Stubbs, Nikiah G. Nudell
Date: 02/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: UW Center for Health Workforce Studies
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Public-Safety Broadband Network: Congressional Action Required to Ensure Network Continuity
Provides an overview of the implementation progress of the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) public-safety broadband network, including network coverage in rural and non-rural areas as of March 2021. Reviews FirstNet's statutory requirements and contract responsibilities Congress should consider before FirstNet's authority sunsets in 2027. Explores options to oversee and manage the network when this authority sunsets, as well as the associated operational implications and potential costs.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 02/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Maine Baseline Needs Assessment: First Responders
Report highlights a the results of a baseline needs assessment identifying substance use disorder (SUD) treatment needs and barriers for rural first responders in Maine. Breaks down data by county, substances used, and rural versus non-rural areas.
Date: 02/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: University of Vermont Center on Rural Addiction
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Michigan Center for Rural Health 2022 Annual Report
Provides an overview of the mission, programming, events, and outreach of the Michigan Center for Rural Health. Focuses on issues such as health workforce education, healthcare access, social determinants of health (SDOH), emergency medical services (EMS), hospital programs, and more.
Date: 2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Michigan Center for Rural Health
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2022 EMS Index: North Dakota Rural EMS Counts
Presents data on rural-relevant EMS quality measures for North Dakota, focusing on cardiac, stroke, pain, vitals, and safety using 2021 data from the North Dakota State EMS Repository. Compares metrics in each focal area to national rates.
Date: 2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: ESO, North Dakota Department of Health, North Dakota EMS Association, University of North Dakota Center for Rural Health
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Ending Surprise Medical Bills
Offers resources for healthcare providers and consumers regarding surprise billing regulations and policies. Includes information on payment dispute resolution between patients and providers, and between providers and out-of-network health plans.
Date: 2022
Type: Website
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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National Study on the Contribution of Family Physicians to the US Emergency Physician Workforce in 2020
Results of a study of family physicians who provide emergency care, using data from the 2020 American Medical Association Physician Masterfile. Features county-level maps showing density of family medicine emergency physicians, and statistics including urban, large rural, or small rural location.
Author(s): Christopher L. Bennett, W. Anthony Gerard, John S. Cullen, et al.
Citation: Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, 34(6), 1221-1228
Date: 11/2021
Type: Document
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Rural Nevada EMS Capacity Assessment
Presents results of a 2020 survey of 36 rural EMS agencies, addressing transporting patients, funding and billing, workforce and recruitment issues, health information technology, and more.
Author(s): Laima Etchegoyhen, John Packham, Tabor Griswold, Jeannine Warner
Date: 10/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Nevada Health Workforce Research Center
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Who Will Answer the Call? An Abstract of Challenges Facing Michigan's Rural EMS Agencies
Provides an overview of challenges experienced by Michigan's rural emergency medical services (EMS) agencies, such as reimbursement, access to care, recruitment and retention, workforce shortages and training, and more.
Date: 09/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Subcommittee of the EMS Coordinating Committee
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