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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Healthcare quality

IHS Needs to Improve Oversight of Its Hospitals' Opioid Prescribing and Dispensing Practices and Consider Centralizing Its Information Technology Functions
Reports on a review of Indian Health Service (IHS) hospitals with a focus on opioid prescriptions and dispensing, information technology (IT), and cybersecurity. Identifies deficiencies related to opioid policies and procedures and supports centralizing IHS IT systems.
Date: 07/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Office of Inspector General (HHS)
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Rosebud Hospital: Indian Health Service Management of Emergency Department Closure and Reopening, A Case Study
Examines management of Indian Health Services (IHS) closure of Rosebud Hospital in South Dakota and its reopening to identify lessons learned. Addresses reasons for hospital closure, the impact of the closure, corrective actions taken following its reopening, and issues with sustaining improvements and compliance. Supports developing procedures for temporary emergency department closures and investing in rural workforce recruitment, retention, and training, among other recommendations.
Date: 07/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Office of Inspector General (HHS)
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Solutions to Reduce Fraud, Waste, and Abuse in HHS Programs: OIG's Top Recommendations
Annual report identifying the top 25 unimplemented recommendations from the Office of Inspector General (OIG) that, in their view, would have the most substantial positive impact on Health and Human Services (HHS) programs. Positive impact may refer to cost savings, program efficacy and efficiency, and/or quality improvement. Primary areas of interest in the July 2019 edition include: reforming the hospital wage index system, a quality program and disaster planning for Indian Health Service (IHS) hospitals, and Medicaid payments for 340B drugs.
Date: 07/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Office of Inspector General (HHS)
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Rural Success: Dahl Memorial Healthcare Association, MT
Highlights a frontier Critical Access Hospital in Ekalaka, Montana, with a focus on their quality improvement efforts. Covers their plans for a new building, updated electronic health records system, antibiotic stewardship efforts, and training to improve Emergency Department Transfer Communication (EDTC).
Citation: MBQIP Monthly, 1-2
Date: 07/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Stratis Health
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Data Report: 2018 Indiana Physician Assistant Licensure Survey
Provides demographic and practice characteristics of the Indiana physician assistant (PA) workforce as well as supply and distribution information, intended to improve the quality and accessibility to primary care. Features statistics including county-level PA geographic distribution with breakdowns by urban and rural location.
Author(s): Analise Dickinson, Sierra Vaughn, Hannah Maxey
Date: 06/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Bowen Center for Health Workforce Research and Policy
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The Rural Hospital Problem
Provides a perspective on rural hospital closures, summarizing literature on contributing factors and impacts on healthcare access and rural economies. Also discusses hospital quality and hospital competition.
Author(s): Austin B. Frankt
Citation: JAMA, 321(23), 2271-2272
Date: 06/2019
Type: Document
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Recorded Webinar: The ABCs of Antibiotic Stewardship (Part 2)
Continues the discussion on the importance of antibiotic stewardship for Critical Access Hospitals in a webinar recording. Identifies the core elements of antibiotic stewardship, addresses findings from the national Annual Facility Survey and national focus groups, and provides recommendations for implementing and improving antibiotic stewardship programs.
Date: 06/2019
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organizations: Oklahoma State University Center for Rural Health, Stratis Health
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MedPAC Comment on CMS's Proposed Rule on the Skilled Nursing Facility PPS for FY 2020
Comments on an April 25, 2019, Federal Register proposed rule updating payments for Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs) and SNF quality reporting. Addresses proposed changes to the wage index system that would adjust for geographical differences, potentially impacting rural areas.
Date: 06/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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MedPAC Comment on CMS's Proposed Rule on Hospice for FY 2020
Comments on an April 25, 2019, Federal Register proposed rule updating payments for hospice and hospice quality reporting. Addresses proposed changes to the wage index system that would adjust for geographical differences, potentially impacting rural areas.
Date: 06/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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MedPAC Comment on CMS's Proposed Rule on the Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility PPS for FY 2020
Comments on an April 24, 2019, Federal Register proposed rule updating payments for Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities (IRFs) and IRF quality reporting. Addresses proposed changes to the wage index system that would adjust for geographical differences, potentially impacting rural areas.
Date: 06/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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