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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Hospitals

Health System Challenges for Critical Access Hospitals: Findings from a National Survey of CAH Executives
Results of a 2019 survey of 174 respondents, examining challenges including uncompensated care, affordability of health insurance, patients seeking care beyond their local hospital, and prescription drug prices. Intended to help rural health policymakers in development of strategies to maintain Critical Access Hospital viability and access to healthcare in rural communities.
Author(s): Sharita Thomas, Kristie Thompson, Kathleen Knocke, George Pink
Date: 02/2021
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Rural Health Research Program
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Opioid-Related and Stimulant-Related Adult Inpatient Stays, 2012-2018
Presents statistics on inpatient hospital stays related to the dependence, misuse, and adverse effects of opioids and stimulants between 2012 and 2018. Examines data by patient characteristics, including age, sex, urban or rural location of residence, and income.
Date: 02/2021
Sponsoring organization: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
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Accountable Care Hospitals and Preventable Emergency Department Visits for Rural Dementia Patients
Examines differences in the frequency of emergency department visits among rural and urban patients with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). Compares the odds of preventable ED visits for ADRD patients at hospitals affiliated and not affiliated with an Accountable Care Organization (ACO).
Author(s): Nianyang Wang, Aitalohi Amaize, Jie Chen
Citation: Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 69(1), 185-190
Date: 01/2021
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Congress Establishes New Medicare Provider Category and Reimbursement for Rural Emergency Hospitals
Provides an overview of the Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) provider designation established in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. Discusses provider eligibility criteria, REH requirements and permitted services, and Medicare reimbursement. Highlights key questions that need to be addressed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Author(s): Emily J. Cook, Sandra M. DiVarco, Caroline Reigart
Citation: National Law Review, XI(5)
Date: 01/2021
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Oklahoma Rural Hospital Closures by the Numbers
Research brief discussing rural hospital closures in Oklahoma and impacts of closures on access to care. Presents data on closures between 2005 and 2020, noting driving distance to the nearest open hospital. Addresses demographic characteristics of counties with closed hospitals and health equity impacts of closures.
Date: 01/2021
Sponsoring organization: Oklahoma State University Center for Rural Health
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Advancing Population Health in Rural Places: Key Lessons and Policy Opportunities
Discussion of topics including strategies to incorporate population health into rural health, how collaboration can help rural hospitals address population health issues, how rural healthcare systems can gain community support for population activities, and ways in which the rural healthcare workforce can be involved in population health. Examines various demonstration projects with roots in the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
Author(s): Keith J. Mueller, Delaney P. Bounds, Andrew F. Coburn, et al.
Date: 01/2021
Sponsoring organization: Rural Policy Research Institute Rural Health Panel
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HRSA's Evidence-Based Tele-Emergency Network Grant Program: Multi-Site Prospective Cohort Analysis Across Six Rural Emergency Department Telemedicine Networks
Examines Evidence-Based Tele-Emergency Network Grant Program (EB TNGP) grantees' provision of telehealth services in rural emergency departments (teleED) in 11 states. Features data and statistics on teleED processes and patients' characteristics, chief complaints, severity of illness, and discharge status.
Author(s): Sarah Heppner, Nicholas M. Mohr, Knute D. Carter, et al.
Citation: PLoS One, 16(1), e0243211
Date: 01/2021
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Serving High Need/High Cost Patients in the Emergency Department
Provides an overview of high-need/high-cost (HNHC) patient program design, implementation, operation, and assessment for rural hospitals to improve participant health, reduce emergency department (ED) visits, and decrease hospital charges. Includes links to additional resources and HNHC patient program case studies.
Author(s): A. Clinton MacKinney, Christopher Stamy
Date: 01/2021
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Value
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Medicare Severe Wound Care: Spending Declines May Reflect Site of Care Changes; Limited Information Is Available on Quality
Reports on an analysis of where Medicare beneficiaries received care for severe wounds in 2018 and Medicare payment for these services. Provides an overview of the implementation of a dual payment system for long-term care hospitals in 2016, and examines how the dual payment system affected the availability and quality of severe wound care for Medicare beneficiaries. Includes data on severe wound care by facility type in addition to Medicare spending by urban and rural location.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 01/2021
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Tele‐ICUs for COVID‐19: A Look at National Prevalence and Characteristics of Hospitals Providing Teleintensive Care
Discusses a study on the prevalence of intensive care unit telemedicine (tele-ICUs) in hospitals across the U.S. during the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically in rural and Critical Access Hospitals. Compares hospitals by region, ICU beds, and emergency visits, among other measures.
Author(s): Dunc Williams Jr., John Lawrence, Young-Rock Hong, Aaron Winn
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 37(1), 133-141
Date: 01/2021
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