Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Healthcare quality
A Core Set of Rural-Relevant Measures and Measuring and Improving Access to Care: 2018 Recommendations from the MAP Rural Health Workgroup
Identifies a set of core measures focused on rural access to care and recommends how to measure them while coordinating data collection efforts. Third in a series of 3 reports documenting the Measures Applications Partnerships Rural Health Workgroup's efforts, a public-private partnership of healthcare stakeholders.
Date: 08/2018
Sponsoring organization: National Quality Forum MAP Rural Health Advisory Workgroup
view details
Identifies a set of core measures focused on rural access to care and recommends how to measure them while coordinating data collection efforts. Third in a series of 3 reports documenting the Measures Applications Partnerships Rural Health Workgroup's efforts, a public-private partnership of healthcare stakeholders.
Date: 08/2018
Sponsoring organization: National Quality Forum MAP Rural Health Advisory Workgroup
view details
Implementing Team Huddles in Small Rural Hospitals: How Does the Kotter Model of Change Apply?
Discusses how the Kotter model of change and team huddles were implemented through the TeamSTEPPS program at 8 Critical Access Hospitals in Iowa. Describes how team huddles can promote patient safety. Examines different implementation strategies, the scope of implementation, and other factors that supported or hindered the performance of teams executing the Kotter model of change.
Author(s): Jure Baloh, Xi Zhu, Marcia M. Ward
Citation: Journal of Nursing Management, 26(5), 571-578
Date: 07/2018
view details
Discusses how the Kotter model of change and team huddles were implemented through the TeamSTEPPS program at 8 Critical Access Hospitals in Iowa. Describes how team huddles can promote patient safety. Examines different implementation strategies, the scope of implementation, and other factors that supported or hindered the performance of teams executing the Kotter model of change.
Author(s): Jure Baloh, Xi Zhu, Marcia M. Ward
Citation: Journal of Nursing Management, 26(5), 571-578
Date: 07/2018
view details
Rural Health Clinic Participation in the Merit-Based Incentive System and Other Quality Reporting Initiatives: Challenges and Opportunities
Reports on past and current RHC quality reporting initiatives in relation to the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS). Explores options for RHCs to voluntarily participate in MIPS and covers challenges for RHCs participating in quality reporting.
Author(s): John A. Gale, Zachariah Croll, Andrew F. Coburn
Date: 07/2018
Sponsoring organization: Maine Rural Health Research Center
view details
Reports on past and current RHC quality reporting initiatives in relation to the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS). Explores options for RHCs to voluntarily participate in MIPS and covers challenges for RHCs participating in quality reporting.
Author(s): John A. Gale, Zachariah Croll, Andrew F. Coburn
Date: 07/2018
Sponsoring organization: Maine Rural Health Research Center
view details
Exploring Bright Spots in Appalachian Health: Case Studies
In-depth studies of 10 Appalachian counties with health outcomes that are better than expected, given their characteristics and resources. Identifies actions these areas are taking to improve health and well-being. Features statistics including demographics and health-related data, and maps showing economic status of Appalachian counties. Third in a series of reports exploring health issues in Appalachia.
Author(s): Nancy M. Lane, G. Mark Holmes, Thomas A. Arcury, et al.
Date: 07/2018
Sponsoring organizations: Appalachian Regional Commission, Burness, PDA, Inc., The Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research
view details
In-depth studies of 10 Appalachian counties with health outcomes that are better than expected, given their characteristics and resources. Identifies actions these areas are taking to improve health and well-being. Features statistics including demographics and health-related data, and maps showing economic status of Appalachian counties. Third in a series of reports exploring health issues in Appalachia.
Author(s): Nancy M. Lane, G. Mark Holmes, Thomas A. Arcury, et al.
Date: 07/2018
Sponsoring organizations: Appalachian Regional Commission, Burness, PDA, Inc., The Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research
view details
Quality Peer Group Indicators for Critical Access Hospitals
Describes the results of a study to identify Critical Access Hospital (CAH) peer groups for the purposes of analyzing quality performance indicators.
Author(s): Michelle Casey, Ira Moscovice, Peiyin Hung
Date: 07/2018
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
view details
Describes the results of a study to identify Critical Access Hospital (CAH) peer groups for the purposes of analyzing quality performance indicators.
Author(s): Michelle Casey, Ira Moscovice, Peiyin Hung
Date: 07/2018
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
view details
Medicaid Expansion and Community Health Centers: Care Quality and Service Use Increased for Rural Patients
Reports on a study to assess the impact of Medicaid expansion on quality of care and insurance coverage in rural and urban community health centers (CHCs), and to examine the impact of expansion on the volume of healthcare services provided by CHCs. Uses data from the 2011-15 or 2012-15 Uniform Data System collected by the Bureau of Primary Health Care of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).
Author(s): Megan B. Cole, Brad Wright, Ira B. Wilson, Omar Galárraga, Amal N. Trivedi
Citation: Health Affairs, 37(6), 900-907
Date: 06/2018
view details
Reports on a study to assess the impact of Medicaid expansion on quality of care and insurance coverage in rural and urban community health centers (CHCs), and to examine the impact of expansion on the volume of healthcare services provided by CHCs. Uses data from the 2011-15 or 2012-15 Uniform Data System collected by the Bureau of Primary Health Care of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).
Author(s): Megan B. Cole, Brad Wright, Ira B. Wilson, Omar Galárraga, Amal N. Trivedi
Citation: Health Affairs, 37(6), 900-907
Date: 06/2018
view details
Changes in Influenza Vaccination Requirements for Health Care Personnel in US Hospitals
Results of a study comparing proportions of 1,062 hospitals that did or did not require personnel to be vaccinated for influenza between 2013-2017. Features statistics with breakdowns by urban or rural location and Veterans Affairs (VA) or non-VA hospital type.
Author(s): M. Todd Greene, Karen E. Fowler, David Ratz, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open 1(2)
Date: 06/2018
view details
Results of a study comparing proportions of 1,062 hospitals that did or did not require personnel to be vaccinated for influenza between 2013-2017. Features statistics with breakdowns by urban or rural location and Veterans Affairs (VA) or non-VA hospital type.
Author(s): M. Todd Greene, Karen E. Fowler, David Ratz, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open 1(2)
Date: 06/2018
view details
MedPAC Report to the Congress: Medicare and the Health Care Delivery System, June 2018
Evaluates Medicare payment issues and offers recommendations to the U.S. Congress. Includes a chapter on ensuring appropriate access to and use of hospital emergency department (ED) services that provides extensive information on rural access to ED services and identifies examples of rural off-campus emergency departments. Other sections of the report addressing rural concerns focus on post-acute care, quality and value payment programs, and medical device payment policies. Also includes a report on the effects of the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program.
Additional links: Fact Sheet
Date: 06/2018
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
view details
Evaluates Medicare payment issues and offers recommendations to the U.S. Congress. Includes a chapter on ensuring appropriate access to and use of hospital emergency department (ED) services that provides extensive information on rural access to ED services and identifies examples of rural off-campus emergency departments. Other sections of the report addressing rural concerns focus on post-acute care, quality and value payment programs, and medical device payment policies. Also includes a report on the effects of the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program.
Additional links: Fact Sheet
Date: 06/2018
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
view details
Rural Hospital Transitional Care Program Reduces Medicare Spending
Evaluates the impact of a weekly transitional care intervention, conducted by phone for recently discharged patients, on service use and spending among Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries at a community-based hospital in rural Worcester County, Maryland.
Author(s): Keith Kranker, Linda M. Barterian, Rumin Sarwar, et al.
Citation: American Journal of Managed Care, 24(5), 256-260
Date: 05/2018
view details
Evaluates the impact of a weekly transitional care intervention, conducted by phone for recently discharged patients, on service use and spending among Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries at a community-based hospital in rural Worcester County, Maryland.
Author(s): Keith Kranker, Linda M. Barterian, Rumin Sarwar, et al.
Citation: American Journal of Managed Care, 24(5), 256-260
Date: 05/2018
view details
The Evolution of Annual Wellness Visits at Bellin Health Partners Next Generation Accountable Care Organization
Features a primarily rural Accountable Care Organization serving Michigan's upper peninsula and northeastern Wisconsin. Outlines their initiative to maximize the benefits of annual wellness visits using a care team and health information technology. Addresses provider incentives and efforts to improve care team communications, as well as the initiative's results and next steps.
Date: 05/2018
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
view details
Features a primarily rural Accountable Care Organization serving Michigan's upper peninsula and northeastern Wisconsin. Outlines their initiative to maximize the benefits of annual wellness visits using a care team and health information technology. Addresses provider incentives and efforts to improve care team communications, as well as the initiative's results and next steps.
Date: 05/2018
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
view details