Changes in Provision of Selected Services by Rural and Urban Hospitals between 2009 and 2017
Examines the increase in number of rural hospitals that have closed or converted to a model eliminating inpatient care, as well as rural hospitals that have reduced or terminated historically essential services including obstetrics, surgery, long-term care, home health, and oncology. Features statistics on numbers of various types of healthcare services offered in hospitals in 2009 and in 2017, with breakdowns by urban and rural location.
Author(s): Kathleen Knocke, George H. Pink, Kristie W. Thompson, Randy K. Randolph, Mark Holmes
Date: 04/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Rural Health Research Program
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Promising Flex Program Initiatives to Support Critical Access Hospitals during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Reports on promising State Flex Program (SFP) strategies to support Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) and address priority needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Highlights initiatives implemented by SFPs in seven states: Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Kentucky, Montana, Pennsylvania, and Wyoming. Discusses strategies regarding support for frontline staff, staff communication, communication to rural communities, clinical and service improvement, and CAH and Rural Health Clinic financial performance. Discusses ongoing considerations and concerns.
Author(s): Celia Jewell, Sara Kahn-Troster, John Gale
Date: 04/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) Model Summary
Provides an overview of the Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) model, a Medicare provider type established by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. Describes key features of the REH model and the REH payment methodology. Identifies considerations that must be addressed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and state Medicaid programs, as well as areas that will require technical assistance.
Date: 04/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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The Hospital as a Convener in Rural Communities
Case study examining the role of rural hospitals as conveners that support community health goals and population health, discussing examples from Michigan and Virginia. Describes community sectors that hospitals can convene, including education, behavioral health, housing, transportation, food, and state and local governments. Offers steps for a hospital to become a convener in their community.
Date: 04/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Rural and Urban Hospital Characteristics by Obstetric Service Provision Status, 2010-2018
Illustrates the differences between urban and rural hospitals providing obstetric (OB) services. Compares them by size, capacity, location, and community characteristics, and compares these factors between rural hospitals with OB units and those that had discontinued services during the study period. Features statistics with breakdowns by urban and rural location.
Additional links: Characteristics of Rural and Urban U.S. Hospitals Based on Obstetric Services
Author(s): Julia D. Interrante, Lindsay K. Admon, Mariana S. Tuttle, Bridget Basile Ibrahim, Katy B. Kozhimannil
Date: 04/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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States Work to Support Rural Hospitals Despite Pandemic Challenges
Blog post highlighting state-level policies to address and prevent rural hospital closures. Discusses proposals in state legislatures regarding alternative payment methodologies and funding, service delivery models, and the recruitment and retention of a rural healthcare workforce.
Author(s): Beth Giambrone
Date: 04/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Association of State and Territorial Health Officials
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Care Systems COVID-19 Impact Assessment: Lessons Learned and Compelling Needs
Explores the clinical and public health responses and experiences of hospitals and health systems, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Presents policy actions and policy considerations to leverage the lessons of the pandemic to improve health system financing, infrastructure, and coordination. Includes information on challenges and priority areas for consideration for rural hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals.
Author(s): Jeffrey Balser, Jaewon Ryu, Michelle Hood, et al.
Date: 04/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Academy of Medicine
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DRCHSD COVID-19 Financial Recovery Series
Recordings of a five-part Delta Region Community Health Systems Development (DRCHSD) hospital and clinic webinar series. Presents best practices, opportunities, and strategies for hospital and clinic operations related to COVID-19. Discusses COVID-19 funding management, operational considerations, revenue cycle strategies, and strategic planning.
Date: 04/2021
Type: Website
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Resource Center
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Mapping High Risk Areas for COVID-19
An interactive web-based mapping tool focused on identifying priority areas for the COVID-19 pandemic. Offers data on health conditions, demographics, and social determinants that may make a population more vulnerable to COVID-19. Also includes the location of hospitals. Users can upload their own COVID-19 patient profile data. Part of the HealthLandscape set of tools.
Date: 04/2021
Type: Map/Mapping System
Sponsoring organization: American Academy of Family Physicians
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COVID Urban Rural Explorer (CURE)
Provides data on COVID-19 cases and deaths in metropolitan and nonmetro areas. Identifies nonmetro counties experiencing spikes in COVID-19 cases, and offers county-level data on cases and deaths, the number of hospital beds, and population density.
Date: 04/2021
Type: Website
Sponsoring organization: Washington State University
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