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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Healthcare quality

Rural Healthy People 2030
Presents literature reviews of 20 rural public health priority topics identified through a survey of rural stakeholders. Reviews the scope of each topic, discusses related goals and objectives from the national Healthy People 2030 initiative, identifies affected populations, highlights interventions and solutions, and more. Topics include mental health, substance use, social determinants of health, access to care, quality of care, chronic health conditions, and COVID-19.
Author(s): Alva O. Ferdinand, Jane N. Bolin, Timothy Callaghan, et al.
Date: 2023
Sponsoring organization: Southwest Rural Health Research Center
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Rural Community Engagement Resource Guide
Describes the importance of community engagement in developing and implementing strategies to improve health, increase value, and drive equitable care delivery. Outlines a variety of toolkits, strategies, and resources to help initiate, improve, and inspire community engagement strategies that support value-based care.
Additional links: Community Engagement and Value Based Care Infographic
Date: 2023
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Value
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Patient and Provider Perceptions of COVID-19-Driven Telehealth Use From Nurse-Led Care Models in Rural, Frontier, and Urban Colorado Communities
Compares rural/frontier and urban perceptions of telehealth in 3 nurse-led models of care in Colorado: Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), nurse midwifery practices, and the Nurse-Family partnership program. Analyzes surveys from 308 patient respondents and 88 provider respondents and includes data about respondent characteristics, patient engagement, patient trust, provider experience, quality of healthcare visits, and more.
Author(s): Amy J. Barton, Claudia R. Amura, Emileigh L. Willems, et al.
Citation: Technology and Digital Innovations in Patient Experience, 10
Date: 2023
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Total Knee Arthroplasty in the Outpatient vs Inpatient Settings: Impact of Site of Care on Early Postoperative Economic and Clinical Outcomes
Compares inpatient and outpatient outcomes of total knee arthroplasty adult patients treated with the Attune Knee System implant between October 1, 2015 and December 2020. Table 1 shows comparison of rural patients to urban patients among other demographic characteristics. Discusses the difference in both clinical and financial outcomes when the procedure occurs at rural hospitals as compared to urban hospitals.
Author(s): Jack Mantel, Jill W. Ruppenkamp, Maricruz Cantu, Chantal E. Holy
Citation: Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research, 2023(18), 273
Date: 2023
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5-Year Strategic Plan: How Primary Care Investments Can Increase Access, Improve Quality, Lower Costs, Promote Health Equity & Address Workforce Needs
Details the New Mexico strategic plan to improve primary care by increasing access, improving healthcare quality, implementing financing reforms, promoting workforce sustainability, and integrating behavioral health into primary care. Discusses issues disproportionately represented in rural and frontier areas and provides county-level maps depicting social vulnerability and Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) recipients. Provides models and best practices in primary care with examples specific to rural areas.
Date: 2023
Sponsoring organization: New Mexico Primary Care Council
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Disparities in Patient Portal Access by U.S. Adults Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Reports on a population-based survey to determine if socio-demographic disparities exist in accessing online patient portals. Using data from the 2020 U.S. Health Information National Trends Survey, insured adults who had a medical visit in the previous 12 months were asked about their knowledge, access, and use of online medical records. Demographic characteristics of patients who were offered access, and for patients who accessed online portals are compared. Reasons for not using an online portal are discussed. Compares online patient portal use by different patient characteristics, including education, race/ethnicity, sex, age, location (metro vs nonmetro/rural), insurance type, use of internet, and quality of care.
Author(s): Akira Nishii, Celeste Campos-Castillo, Denise Anthony
Citation: JAMIA Open, 5(4)
Date: 12/2022
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Medicare: CMS Needs to Address Risks Posed by Provider Enrollment Waivers and Flexibilities
Report discusses the waivers and flexibilities in Medicare requirements that were implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. Highlights how these waivers, such as fingerprint-based criminal background checks and revalidating provider eligibility, put Medicare at a high risk for fraud, waste, and abuse. Details how these waivers affect rural providers, as well.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 12/2022
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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HAI/AR Rural, Frontier, and Small LHDs Exploratory Survey and In-Depth Interview Analysis & Resources
Provides information related to Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), and Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) issues in rural, frontier, and small local health departments (LHDs). Includes links to survey results regarding HAIs, AMR, and AMS initiatives; report on HAIs, AMR, and AMS-focused interviews held with LHDs and other rural partners; infographics to explain results of respective survey and report; and a 6-part blog series covering HAIs, AMR, and AMS issues.
Author(s): Jaclyn Abramson
Date: 12/2022
Sponsoring organization: National Association of County and City Health Officials
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COVID-19 in Nursing Homes: Outbreak Duration Averaged 4 Weeks and Was Strongly Associated with Community Spread
Examines how COVID-19 outbreaks affected nursing homes. Explores factors that were associated with the duration of COVID-19 outbreaks, including community-level transmission, staffing levels, nursing home size, and type of nursing home ownership. Includes rural references throughout.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 12/2022
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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CMS Innovation Center: 2022 Report to Congress
Reports to Congress on payment and service delivery models and initiatives tested or announced by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation between October 2020 and September 2022. Includes summaries and updates on multiple rural-relevant models and initiatives, including Community Health Access and Rural Transformation (CHART) Model, the Pennsylvania Rural Health Model (PARHM), the Vermont All-Payer Accountable Care Organization Model, and more.
Date: 12/2022
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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