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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Infectious diseases

Advance Care Planning: New Realities in Times of COVID-19
Examines the challenges of advance care planning, planning for decision-making in times of medical crisis, due to COVID-19. Shares insights from clinicians and others involved in helping rural patients.
Author(s): Kay Miller Temple
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 07/2020
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Insights for What Enhances or Undermines Trust in Hospital Settings
Reviews research on the trust populations in rural and underserved areas have in hospitals. Highlights dimensions of patient trust identified by researchers. Profiles a study by the Colorado Hospital Association examining the relationship between patient and family engagement activities and patient trust in rural hospitals. Includes a discussion on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on rural hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals.
Author(s): Bonnie Austin Cluxton
Date: 07/2020
Sponsoring organization: AcademyHealth
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Oversight Hearing on "Evaluating the Response and Mitigation to the COVID-19 Pandemic in Native Communities" and Legislative Hearing to Receive Testimony on S. 3650
Presents the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs oversight hearing on the response to COVID-19 in tribal communities. Features testimony from representatives from the Indian Health Service, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the North Dakota Indian Affairs Commission, and the National Indian Health Board.
Additional links: Lisa Elgin Testimony, Michael D. Weahkee Testimony, Robert J. Fenton, Jr. Testimony, Scott J. Davis Testimony
Date: 07/2020
Sponsoring organization: Senate Committee on Indian Affairs
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Provision of Pediatric Immunization Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Assessment of Capacity Among Pediatric Immunization Providers Participating in the Vaccines for Children Program — United States, May 2020
Reports on the capacity of pediatric healthcare practices to provide immunization services to children during the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on a survey of practices participating in the Vaccines for Children program conducted May 12–20, 2020. Includes data for urban and rural provider practice locations.
Author(s): Tara M. Vogt, Fan Zhang, Michelle Banks, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 69(27), 859-863
Date: 07/2020
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Update: COVID-19 Among Workers in Meat and Poultry Processing Facilities ― United States, April-May 2020
Provides data from 28 states on the number of meat and poultry processing facilities affected by COVID-19, characteristics of affected workers, and COVID-19–associated deaths among workers. Data on cases and deaths through May 31, 2020 were obtained from 239 affected facilities. Also describes interventions and prevention efforts at these facilities.
Author(s): Michelle A. Waltenburg, Tristan Victoroff, Charles E. Rose, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 69(27), 887-892
Date: 07/2020
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Pennsylvania Hospital Transitions HRSA-Funded Program to Online Services and Addresses COVID-19 Stress
Features Butler Memorial Hospital and how it adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic. Highlights the switch to online delivery for a chronic disease project funded by a HRSA Rural Health Care Services Outreach grant. Also describes initiatives to address healthcare workforce stress, help patients use tablets to visit with loved ones, and distribute healthy food to the community.
Author(s): Allee Mead
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 07/2020
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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South Carolina Telehealth Alliance - COVID-19: Resources for Patients and Providers in South Carolina
Features links to resources for online screening, laws and regulations, and reimbursement policies, related to telehealth in South Carolina.
Date: 07/2020
Sponsoring organization: South Carolina Telehealth Alliance
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Ground Truth from Rural Practitioners
Shares the results of a survey of national and regional organizations serving rural communities in 44 states to provide analysis and information on their characteristics, expertise, diversity, and needs. Includes information on how these rural serving organizations engage in public policy discussions and how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted their work.
Date: 06/2020
Sponsoring organizations: Aspen Institute, Housing Assistance Council
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COVID-19 Testing & Testing Related Activities with CDC Experts
Recording of a June 4, 2020, webinar providing detailed information about testing for COVID-19 for Rural Health Clinics (RHCs). Discusses specimen collections and handling, patient priority for testing, antibody testing, and interpreting viral and antibody COVID-19 test results. Part of the Rural Health Clinic Technical Assistance Series.
Additional links: Presentation Slides, Transcript
Date: 06/2020
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Rural Health Clinics
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Expect Delays: Poor Connections Between Rural and Urban Health Systems Challenge Multidisciplinary Care for Rural Americans with Diabetic Foot Ulcers
Investigates communication barriers between rural and urban health systems to identify factors that may be contributing to higher risk of major amputation among rural patients with diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) compared to urban patients with DFUs. Barriers for rural providers include time-consuming referrals; poor interactions with urban providers; and data sharing issues due to multiple, disconnected electronic health records.
Author(s): Bryn L. Sutherland, Kristen Pecanac, Christie M. Bartels, Meghan B. Brennan
Citation: Journal of Foot and Ankle Research, 13(1), 32
Date: 06/2020
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