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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Healthcare facilities

The Swing Bed Program: Impacting Patients, Providers, and Community
Brief video overview of the swing bed program, which helps rural hospitals provide patient- and community-centric post-acute healthcare. Describes the history, related policy issues, early implementation, and evolution of the program.
Date: 08/2021
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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History of the Swing Bed: A Look Through the Rural Rearview Mirror
Reviews the history of the swing bed program, which helps rural hospitals serve patients and the community through provision of post-acute care. Shares insights from experts who describe early implementation and key program elements that have contributed to the program's success.
Author(s): Kay Miller Temple
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 08/2021
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Understanding the Rural Swing Bed: More than Just a Reimbursement Policy
Provides an overview of the swing bed program and its role as a patient-centric post-acute care solution that helps rural hospitals serve their communities. Discusses the impact of the program, reimbursement, quality measures, and more.
Author(s): Kay Miller Temple
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 08/2021
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Quality Time: Sharing PIE - Making Quality Improvement Fun
Podcast episode discussing ways two Critical Access Hospital (CAH) leaders make quality improvement activities fun and engaging for hospital staff. Highlights engagement strategies that resulted in measurable improvements, staff recognition activities, and the impact these efforts have on staff morale and investment in quality improvement initiatives.
Date: 08/2021
Sponsoring organization: Stratis Health
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COVID-19: HHS's Collection of Hospital Capacity Data
Examines the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) implementation of the HHS Project, which was launched in April 2020 to collect national and state-level hospital capacity data. Discusses reporting requirements and challenges, use of the data collected, and lessons learned regarding the collection of hospital capacity data during a public health emergency.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 08/2021
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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The Rural Emergency Hospital and Value-Based Care
Summarizes the new Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) legislation, outlines local considerations before REH conversion, and prepares stakeholders to comment when the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services releases REH proposed rules for public input. Addresses questions regarding anticipated proposed rules and describes opportunities to inform REH rulemaking.
Date: 08/2021
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Value
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West Virginia Primary Care Provider Shortage Areas, Certified Clinic Locations, and Blood Pressure Medication Nonadherence
County-level map showing locations of West Virginia Rural Health Clinics, Federally Qualified Health Centers, and Primary Care Health Professional Shortage Areas.
Date: 07/2021
Sponsoring organization: West Virginia Division of Primary Care
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Treating Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders in Rural Montana
Profiles how St. Peter's Health - a health system in Helena, Montana - developed and implemented a parental support system to address gaps in postpartum mental health care. Discusses partnerships St. Peter's Health utilized to connect parents with community-based services and supports. Offers lessons learned and future goals for the program.
Date: 07/2021
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Assessment of the Financial Health of Rural Hospitals After Implementation of the Georgia Rural Hospital Tax Credit Program
Explores association of the Georgia Rural Hospital Tax Credit Program with the financial health of participating rural hospitals, using financial data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services from 2015-2019 for 136 hospitals. Examines data from participating Georgia hospitals with data from comparison hospitals in Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Features statistics on sample characteristics and finances.
Author(s): Bettye A. Apenteng, Samuel T. Opoku, Charles Owens, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 4(7)
Date: 07/2021
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Rural Hospital Closings in Southern States
Interactive map depicting 59 rural hospital closures from January 2012 - July 2021 in Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas. Uses data from the North Carolina Health Research Program.
Date: 07/2021
Sponsoring organization: Arkansas Center for Health Improvement
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