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Resources by Topic: Health systems

Models for Population Health Improvement by Health Care Systems and Partners: Tensions and Promise on the Path Upstream: Proceedings of a Workshop
Proceedings from a public workshop held on September 19, 2019, exploring higher levels of action to improve health, such as changing laws, policies, and regulations, to improve the community conditions for health. Describes efforts of health systems and their partners to move beyond what takes place in clinical settings and to identify and respond to the needs of patients and communities. Notes that some approaches may work differently in rural and urban areas.
Additional links: Read Online
Author(s): Board on Population Health and Public Health Practice
Date: 2021
Sponsoring organization: Health and Medicine Division (HMD), National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
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Doulas Enhance the Birthing Experience: Brookings Health System, Brookings, SD
Case study profiling Brookings Health System, a rural health system in South Dakota, and its implementation of a free doula program. Discusses the impact of the doula program, patient and staff, satisfaction, lessons learned, and future goals for the program.
Date: 11/2020
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Accountable Health Communities Model - Two Rural Participants' Experiences
Describes how two health systems, Ballard Health and Rocky Mountain Health Plan, implemented the Accountable Health Communities Model to address health-related social needs of rural Medicare, Medicaid, and dual-eligible beneficiaries. Discusses challenges each system faced while implementing the model.
Date: 11/2020
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Value
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Health System Affiliation and Characteristics of Inpatient Stays at Rural and Metropolitan Hospitals, 2016
Presents statistics on inpatient stays at rural and metropolitan hospitals. Compares the number of inpatient hospitals stays by metropolitan status, health system affiliation, census region, and selected characteristics of the patients and hospital stays.
Author(s): Zeynal Karaca, Kathryn R. Fingar
Date: 10/2020
Sponsoring organization: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
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The Growing Divide in the Composition of Public Health Delivery Systems in US Rural and Urban Communities, 2014–2018
Analyzes data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Public Health Systems to examine rural-urban differences in the scope of public health delivery system activities and organizational networks from 2014-2018. Provides geographic breakdowns on various characteristics, including poverty, unemployment, trends for public health activities, and more.
Author(s): Kelsey M. Owsley, Mika K. Hamer, Glen P. Mays
Citation: American Journal of Public Health, 110(Suppl 2), S204-S210
Date: 07/2020
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Changes in Care-Seeking after Rural Hospitals Merge
Describes changes to inpatient services in 15 rural hospitals in the 15 months before and after the hospitals' merger with another hospital or health system from 2014-2016. Features statistics on changes in visit type and percent bypass by diagnostic category and discharge date relative to merger.
Author(s): Tyler Malone, Denise Kirk, Randy Randolph, George Pink, Mark Holmes
Date: 07/2020
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Rural Health Research Program
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Association of Neighborhood Measures of Social Determinants of Health With Breast, Cervical, and Colorectal Cancer Screening Rates in the US Midwest
Results of a study examining how area-level social determinants of health and rurality were associated with cancer screening practices in 75 Mayo Clinic and Mayo Clinic Health System practices in Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin in 2016-2017. Features statistics on factors associated with 3 types of cancer screenings, with breakdowns by urban, rural, and highly rural areas.
Author(s): Shaheen S. Kurani, Rozalina G. McCoy, Michelle A. Lampman, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 3(3)
Date: 03/2020
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Tanner Health System: Promoting Healthy Behaviors
Describes "Get Healthy, Eat Well," an initiative by Tanner Health System to promote healthy behaviors in its rural Georgia and Alabama communities. Provides an overview of the framework that guided the network of community partners, school and community interventions, and results of the program. Includes lessons learned and next steps.
Date: 01/2020
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Stem the Tide: Opioid Stewardship Measurement Implementation Guide
Identifies best practices for hospitals and health systems to use data to improve opioid stewardship. Addresses six elements that can support facilities through implementing a data-driven opioid stewardship program. Provides a list of quality improvement measures for hospitals and health systems to track progress. Highlights a consortium of providers serving rural communities across Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin focused on access to treatment and interventions that address social determinants of health.
Date: 2020
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Access, Quality, and Financial Performance of Rural Hospitals Following Health System Affiliation
Examines the impact of health system affiliation on rural hospitals' quality and financial performance, as well as patients' access to care. Compares rural hospitals affiliated with a health system between 2008-2017 with those that did not affiliate with a health system.
Author(s): Claire E. O'Hanlon, Ashley M. Kranz, Maria DeYoreo, Ammarah Mahmud, Cheryl L. Damberg, Justin W. Timbie
Citation: Health Affairs, 38(12), 2095-2104
Date: 12/2019
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