Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Hospitals
Modernizing Payment to Critical Access Hospitals: A Proposal for the Next Iteration of the Flex Program
Commentary briefly describing the history the Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility Program (Flex) and Cost-Based Reimbursement (CBR) for Medicare. Outlines the challenges of CBR for Critical Access Hospitals (CAH) and proposes a new payment system.
Author(s): Clint MacKinney, Keith Mueller, Alva Ferdinand, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 39(4), 716-718
Date: 02/2023
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Commentary briefly describing the history the Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility Program (Flex) and Cost-Based Reimbursement (CBR) for Medicare. Outlines the challenges of CBR for Critical Access Hospitals (CAH) and proposes a new payment system.
Author(s): Clint MacKinney, Keith Mueller, Alva Ferdinand, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 39(4), 716-718
Date: 02/2023
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Leadership Dialogue Series: Strengthening Rural Health Care with Jennifer Havens
Discussion between John Haupert, president and CEO of Grady Health System, and Jennifer Havens, CEO of UnityPoint Health – Grinnell Regional Medical Center (GRMC). Describes challenges facing rural hospitals and health systems, as well as access to maternal health services. Explores how GRMC has addressed these challenges and improved care delivery. Transcript is available by clicking the dots above the video description, then selecting Show Transcript.
Date: 02/2023
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Discussion between John Haupert, president and CEO of Grady Health System, and Jennifer Havens, CEO of UnityPoint Health – Grinnell Regional Medical Center (GRMC). Describes challenges facing rural hospitals and health systems, as well as access to maternal health services. Explores how GRMC has addressed these challenges and improved care delivery. Transcript is available by clicking the dots above the video description, then selecting Show Transcript.
Date: 02/2023
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Rural Hospitals Face Renewed Financial Challenges, Especially in States That Have Not Expanded Medicaid
Provides an overview of rural hospital finances before the COVID-19 pandemic and compares operating margins in hospitals in states that expanded Medicaid with those that did not expand Medicaid. Describes financial trends during pandemic. Highlights selected policy initiatives intended to support rural hospitals or restructure the rural healthcare delivery system.
Author(s): Zachary Levinson, Jamie Godwin, Scott Hulver
Date: 02/2023
Sponsoring organization: KFF
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Provides an overview of rural hospital finances before the COVID-19 pandemic and compares operating margins in hospitals in states that expanded Medicaid with those that did not expand Medicaid. Describes financial trends during pandemic. Highlights selected policy initiatives intended to support rural hospitals or restructure the rural healthcare delivery system.
Author(s): Zachary Levinson, Jamie Godwin, Scott Hulver
Date: 02/2023
Sponsoring organization: KFF
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Rural Hospitals: Community Cornerstones Facing Perilous Threats to Care
Infographic presenting data regarding the importance of rural hospitals to their communities. Includes information on workforce and financial challenges experienced by rural hospitals, as well as the impact of hospital closures on access to care. Provides recommendations on actions to support rural hospitals and communities.
Date: 02/2023
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Infographic presenting data regarding the importance of rural hospitals to their communities. Includes information on workforce and financial challenges experienced by rural hospitals, as well as the impact of hospital closures on access to care. Provides recommendations on actions to support rural hospitals and communities.
Date: 02/2023
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Patient Transfers to and from Critical Access Hospitals During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Examines inbound and outbound transfer patient volumes among Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Discusses the barriers and facilitators to transferring patients that CAHs experienced. Compares transfer volume and facilitators for outbound transfers by CAH system ownership status.
Author(s): Abigail Wenninger, Madeleine Pick, Megan Lahr
Date: 02/2023
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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Examines inbound and outbound transfer patient volumes among Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Discusses the barriers and facilitators to transferring patients that CAHs experienced. Compares transfer volume and facilitators for outbound transfers by CAH system ownership status.
Author(s): Abigail Wenninger, Madeleine Pick, Megan Lahr
Date: 02/2023
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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Evaluation of Post-Discharge Engagement for Emergency Department Patients with Opioid Use History Who Received Telehealth Recovery Coaching Services
Examines successful interventions for patients in emergency departments (EDs) who receive peer recovery coach (PRC) services via telehealth that support patients with opioid use disorder (OUD). Analyzes 13 EDs in Indiana who implemented telehealth PRC services starting in 2018, including 7 rural Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs). Includes rate of successful follow-ups proceeding PRC services broken down by patient age, sex, race, drug use method, referral types, and metro, small, or rural living location.
Author(s): Dennis P. Watson, Peter Phalen, Spencer Medcalf, Sarah Messmer, Alan McGuire
Citation: Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention,18(9)
Date: 02/2023
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Examines successful interventions for patients in emergency departments (EDs) who receive peer recovery coach (PRC) services via telehealth that support patients with opioid use disorder (OUD). Analyzes 13 EDs in Indiana who implemented telehealth PRC services starting in 2018, including 7 rural Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs). Includes rate of successful follow-ups proceeding PRC services broken down by patient age, sex, race, drug use method, referral types, and metro, small, or rural living location.
Author(s): Dennis P. Watson, Peter Phalen, Spencer Medcalf, Sarah Messmer, Alan McGuire
Citation: Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention,18(9)
Date: 02/2023
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Factors Contributing to Reductions in Patient Wait Times at Indian Health Service Emergency Department Facilities: A Mixed-Methods Assessment
Presents findings of a mixed-methods assessment of the change in emergency department wait times at Indian Health Service (IHS) facilities before and after the announcement of wait time standards in 2019. Describes challenges to providing timely access to emergency and primary care, strategies to overcome these challenges, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on wait times.
Date: 02/2023
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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Presents findings of a mixed-methods assessment of the change in emergency department wait times at Indian Health Service (IHS) facilities before and after the announcement of wait time standards in 2019. Describes challenges to providing timely access to emergency and primary care, strategies to overcome these challenges, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on wait times.
Date: 02/2023
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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Filling Behavioral Health Gaps in Rural Communities: A Unique Partnership in Washington State
Discusses a collaboration between a Critical Access Hospital (CAH) in Washington and state hospitals to accept patient transfers by utilizing swing beds to care for patients with complex behavioral health and social needs, such as substance use disorder, mental health, homelessness, and more. Includes data on swing bed admissions and information on incorporating behavioral health services into primary care.
Author(s): Sarah Klein, Martha Hostetter
Date: 02/2023
Sponsoring organization: The Commonwealth Fund
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Discusses a collaboration between a Critical Access Hospital (CAH) in Washington and state hospitals to accept patient transfers by utilizing swing beds to care for patients with complex behavioral health and social needs, such as substance use disorder, mental health, homelessness, and more. Includes data on swing bed admissions and information on incorporating behavioral health services into primary care.
Author(s): Sarah Klein, Martha Hostetter
Date: 02/2023
Sponsoring organization: The Commonwealth Fund
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Critical Access Hospital Workforce During COVID-19: Barriers and Facilitators for Recruiting and Retaining Staff
Presents findings from a survey of Critical Access Hospital (CAH) executives regarding the specific types of staff positions they have had challenges recruiting and retaining. Compares results by system affiliation. Discusses the barriers and facilitators to recruiting and retaining hospital staff.
Author(s): Madeleine Pick, Megan Lahr
Date: 02/2023
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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Presents findings from a survey of Critical Access Hospital (CAH) executives regarding the specific types of staff positions they have had challenges recruiting and retaining. Compares results by system affiliation. Discusses the barriers and facilitators to recruiting and retaining hospital staff.
Author(s): Madeleine Pick, Megan Lahr
Date: 02/2023
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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Chartis Center for Rural Health Research & Resources for the 2023 National Rural Health Association's Rural Health Policy Institute Conference
Offers research and analysis of the stability of the rural healthcare safety net. Includes Rural Health Safety Net Under Renewed Pressure as Pandemic Fades and presentation slides on this report from the 2023 National Rural Health Association Policy Institute. Provides links to national and state data tables showing the financial impact of federal policies on rural hospitals.
Date: 02/2023
Sponsoring organization: Chartis Center for Rural Health
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Offers research and analysis of the stability of the rural healthcare safety net. Includes Rural Health Safety Net Under Renewed Pressure as Pandemic Fades and presentation slides on this report from the 2023 National Rural Health Association Policy Institute. Provides links to national and state data tables showing the financial impact of federal policies on rural hospitals.
Date: 02/2023
Sponsoring organization: Chartis Center for Rural Health
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