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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Planning and strategy methods and resources

A Toolkit for Building and Growing a Sustainable Telehealth Program in Your Practice
Offers information for family practices to develop and implement telehealth strategies in light of the COVID-19 pandemic's impacts on regulatory and reimbursement policies. Topics include telehealth services, payment considerations, program sustainability, licensing and technology requirements, and workflow. Includes 10 telehealth scenarios with breakdowns of payer, technology, staff, coding, and other special considerations.
Date: 09/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: American Academy of Family Physicians, Manatt Health
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The Community Planning Framework for Healthcare Preparedness
A tool for community planners to help improve healthcare preparedness and delivery during a pandemic or other public health emergency. May be used to enhance existing community plans for medical surge or to develop new plans.
Date: 09/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Rural EMS COVID-19 Preparedness Checklist
Provides a checklist for rural response agencies to evaluate their current level of preparedness and identify areas that need additional action to better respond to COVID-19. Covers planning, strategy, personal protective equipment and supplies, workforce and recruiting, and funding.
Date: 08/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: American Ambulance Association, Federal Healthcare Resilience Working Group
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Introducing the Social Determinants of Health in Rural Communities Toolkit
Webinar recording presents the Social Determinants of Health in Rural Communities Toolkit. Discusses strategies, models, and lessons learned for addressing social determinants of health in rural communities. Features presentations from representatives of NORC Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis, CASA of Oregon, and the Community Outreach and Patient Empowerment Program.
Additional links: Audio Recording, PowerPoint Handout
Date: 08/2020
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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RWHC Hospital Trustee Manual
Collection of brief articles covering hospital governance. Includes meeting ground rules, responsibilities and liabilities of non-profit directors, board self-assessment, ensuring quality care, financial stewardship, population health improvement, leadership development, and advocacy for rural health, among other topics.
Date: 06/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative
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Grantee Sourcebook: Rural Health Network Planning Development Program, 2019
Detailed descriptions of 25 Rural Health Network Development Planning Program grant projects funded in fiscal year 2019. Reports on each grantee's network infrastructure development, plans for sustaining the network after the grant, and program activities addressing topics such as integrated service delivery, behavioral health, telehealth, and care coordination. Grantee profiles identify the geographic areas served, network partners, and primary contact person.
Date: 06/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Federal Office of Rural Health Policy
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Organizational Readiness to Implement System Changes in an Alaskan Tribal Dental Care Organization
Study of an Alaska tribal dental care organization's readiness for system-level changes based on surveys of dental providers, assistants, and support staff employed by the organization at 15 clinics in remote villages and 3 main dental clinics located in cities. Discusses perceptions of staff regarding workforce issues and support for change related to policies and evidence-based practices. Scores each area of readiness for change based on survey data, including organizational functioning, resources, and management.
Author(s): C.L. Randall, K. Hort, C.E. Huebner, et al.
Citation: Journal of Clinical and Translational Research, 5(2), 156-165
Date: 04/2020
Type: Document
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Four Stages of Planning and Implementation During COVID-19: One Rural Hospital's Preparations
Highlights a rural California hospital's four stage plan in preparing for a potential patient surge related to the COVID-19 pandemic and addresses actions achieved to ensure quality in the current care and treatment of patients. Discusses the steps taken to provide care through community outreach and to maintain financial support.
Date: 04/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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RCAP Planning for Pandemics Toolkit
Toolkit designed by the Ohio Rural Community Assistance Program (RCAP) to help small water systems prepare for an epidemic. Includes flyers on COVID-19 and sanitation, and a continuity of operations plan template that can be used to prepare for a pandemic.
Date: 04/2020
Type: Website
Sponsoring organization: Rural Community Assistance Partnership
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Information for First Responders on Maintaining Operational Capabilities During a Pandemic
Provides resources to help first responders plan for the impacts of a severe pandemic. Offers ways to adjust operations to maintain readiness, planning tools for local leaders, and reference sheets with discipline-specific action steps.
Date: 03/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Fire Administration
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