Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Healthcare quality
Evaluation of the ACO REACH Model: Evaluation Report 3
Presents key findings from an evaluation of the Accountable Care Organization (ACO) REACH Model's first performance year, as well as the two years of the preceding Global and Professional Direct Contracting (GPDC) Model. Examines model participants' implementation experiences and the model's impact on cost, utilization, and quality outcomes. Includes information on the participation of Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), Rural Health Clinics (RHCs), and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) in the model.
Additional links: Appendices, CMS Perspective Report, Executive Summary, Findings at a Glance
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organizations: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, NORC at the University of Chicago
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Presents key findings from an evaluation of the Accountable Care Organization (ACO) REACH Model's first performance year, as well as the two years of the preceding Global and Professional Direct Contracting (GPDC) Model. Examines model participants' implementation experiences and the model's impact on cost, utilization, and quality outcomes. Includes information on the participation of Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), Rural Health Clinics (RHCs), and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) in the model.
Additional links: Appendices, CMS Perspective Report, Executive Summary, Findings at a Glance
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organizations: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, NORC at the University of Chicago
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Rural Pediatric Readiness: Improving Emergency Care for Kids
Features rural providers in Texas and Wyoming working to improve their ability to provide quality emergency care to pediatric patients, as well as a pediatric readiness training program in Georgia.
Author(s): Allee Mead
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Features rural providers in Texas and Wyoming working to improve their ability to provide quality emergency care to pediatric patients, as well as a pediatric readiness training program in Georgia.
Author(s): Allee Mead
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Rural–Urban Variation in Guideline-Concordant Management of Early-Stage Kidney, Prostate, and Testicular Cancer in the United States (2010–2022)
Examines how receipt of guideline-concordant management of early-stage kidney, prostate, and testicular cancers varied among rural and urban populations, using 2010-2022 SEER data.
Author(s): Canan D. Dirican, Samer Jumean, Anas Al Mardini, Michael Maroules
Citation: Urologic Oncology: Seminars and Original Investigations, 44(6), 189-196
Date: 06/2026
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Examines how receipt of guideline-concordant management of early-stage kidney, prostate, and testicular cancers varied among rural and urban populations, using 2010-2022 SEER data.
Author(s): Canan D. Dirican, Samer Jumean, Anas Al Mardini, Michael Maroules
Citation: Urologic Oncology: Seminars and Original Investigations, 44(6), 189-196
Date: 06/2026
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National Health Center Financial and Operational Performance Analysis: 2021–2024
Examines financial and operational characteristics of Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) from 2021-2024. Explores FQHC growth and expansion, patient and payer mix, revenue and growth mix, staffing and productivity, operational trends, financial performance, and quality of care. Compares data on rural FQHCs to urban and national FQHC data.
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: Capital Link
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Examines financial and operational characteristics of Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) from 2021-2024. Explores FQHC growth and expansion, patient and payer mix, revenue and growth mix, staffing and productivity, operational trends, financial performance, and quality of care. Compares data on rural FQHCs to urban and national FQHC data.
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: Capital Link
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Inpatient Outcomes and Complications After Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion in Rural Versus Urban Hospitals in the United States
Examines how outcomes and complications of left atrial appendage occlusion for treatment of atrial fibrillation differed by rural or urban hospital location, using 2016-2020 National Inpatient Sample data.
Author(s): Amanda Nguyen, Muhammad Zia Khan, Joseph Neely, et al.
Citation: Clinical Cardiology, 49(7), e70397
Date: 06/2026
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Examines how outcomes and complications of left atrial appendage occlusion for treatment of atrial fibrillation differed by rural or urban hospital location, using 2016-2020 National Inpatient Sample data.
Author(s): Amanda Nguyen, Muhammad Zia Khan, Joseph Neely, et al.
Citation: Clinical Cardiology, 49(7), e70397
Date: 06/2026
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Rural–Urban Disparities in Acute Pancreatitis Outcomes: A Retrospective Cohort Study using the National Inpatient Sample (2016–2021)
Compares rural and urban acute pancreatitis hospitalization costs, mortality, length of stay, complications, and other healthcare outcomes, using 2016-2021 National Inpatient Sample data.
Author(s): Fatima Rashid, Kasim Syed Jafri, Niloy Ghosh, et al.
Citation: Medicine, 105(23), e49138
Date: 06/2026
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Compares rural and urban acute pancreatitis hospitalization costs, mortality, length of stay, complications, and other healthcare outcomes, using 2016-2021 National Inpatient Sample data.
Author(s): Fatima Rashid, Kasim Syed Jafri, Niloy Ghosh, et al.
Citation: Medicine, 105(23), e49138
Date: 06/2026
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Factors Influencing Rural Hospitals to Participate and Remain in Accountable Care Organizations
Examines factors that impact rural hospital participation in Medicare and accountable care organization (ACO) models. Utilizes interview feedback from rural hospital executives regarding ACO participation and discusses themes such as financial incentives, value-based reimbursement, population health, healthcare quality, and more.
Author(s): Emily J. Lawton, Jenah McCarty, Thomas E. Vaughn, Fred Ullrich, Keith J. Mueller
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(2), e70179
Date: 06/2026
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Examines factors that impact rural hospital participation in Medicare and accountable care organization (ACO) models. Utilizes interview feedback from rural hospital executives regarding ACO participation and discusses themes such as financial incentives, value-based reimbursement, population health, healthcare quality, and more.
Author(s): Emily J. Lawton, Jenah McCarty, Thomas E. Vaughn, Fred Ullrich, Keith J. Mueller
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(2), e70179
Date: 06/2026
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Rural-Urban Disparities in Epilepsy Outcomes in the United States
Examines rural and urban differences in epilepsy outcomes using 2016-2021 National Inpatient Sample data. Provides data on in-hospital mortality, treatments received, length of stay, and more.
Author(s): Edward R. Bader, William S. Kemball-Cook, Joshua A. Benton, et al.
Citation: Neurology, 107(1), e218053
Date: 06/2026
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Examines rural and urban differences in epilepsy outcomes using 2016-2021 National Inpatient Sample data. Provides data on in-hospital mortality, treatments received, length of stay, and more.
Author(s): Edward R. Bader, William S. Kemball-Cook, Joshua A. Benton, et al.
Citation: Neurology, 107(1), e218053
Date: 06/2026
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Impact and Opportunities for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics in Rural Communities
Examines ways in which Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) are improving access to and quality of care in rural areas. Highlights opportunities and strategies for CCBHCs to fill service gaps in rural areas and to meet or exceed program requirements.
Author(s): Renee Boak
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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Examines ways in which Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) are improving access to and quality of care in rural areas. Highlights opportunities and strategies for CCBHCs to fill service gaps in rural areas and to meet or exceed program requirements.
Author(s): Renee Boak
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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MBQIP Quality Measures National Annual Report - 2024
Summarizes quality measure reporting rates and performance among Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) in 2024. Presents data on the five Medicare Beneficiary Quality Improvement Project (MBQIP) domains: global measures, patient safety, patient engagement, care coordination, and emergency department.
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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Summarizes quality measure reporting rates and performance among Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) in 2024. Presents data on the five Medicare Beneficiary Quality Improvement Project (MBQIP) domains: global measures, patient safety, patient engagement, care coordination, and emergency department.
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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