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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Technology for health and human services

Health Information Technology: HHS is Taking Steps to Develop a National Strategy
Overview of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services efforts to develop a national health information technology (IT) strategy. Includes some information on rural health IT activities.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 05/2005
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Critical Access Hospital Patient Safety Priorities and Initiatives: Results of the 2004 National CAH Survey
Describes patient safety activities at Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) based on a 2004 survey of 474 CAH administrators. Includes information on patient safety priorities, challenges CAHs face in implementing patient safety interventions, and pharmacy staffing and computer systems to prevent medication errors.
Author(s): Michelle Casey, Ira Moscovice, Jill Klingner
Date: 09/2004
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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A Synthesis of State Flex Program Plans 2003-2004
Describes trends in state activities for the Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility Program (Flex Program). Includes an overview and specific state examples for different aspects of the Flex program, including rural health planning, Critical Access Hospital designation, EMS, quality improvement, and health information technology.
Date: 05/2004
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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Information Technology: Benefits Realized for Selected Health Care Functions
Describes cost savings and other benefits of information technology use in health care, including clinical care and administrative applications. Discusses examples from hospitals serving rural areas. Also includes examples of IT use by insurers for improved claims processing and customer service.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 10/2003
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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CI Fortify: Strengthening Resilience Across Critical Infrastructure
Describes CI Fortify, an initiative dedicated to improving public health and safety, critical infrastructure, continuity of the economy, and national security, in case of a geopolitical conflict. Includes links to resources that help ensure cybersecurity professionals are prepared to sustain essential operations in case of disruptive cyberattacks.
Sponsoring organization: Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency
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NTIA Data Explorer
Interactive tool displaying data from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Internet Use Survey on internet use, device use, non-use of the internet at home, household connectivity, and online activities nationally and by state. Includes options to present data as a map, chart, table, or fact sheet. Presents the option to view data by state and demographic characteristics, such as age group, employment status, and population density (metropolitan statistical area (MSA) and non-MSA status).
Sponsoring organization: National Telecommunications and Information Administration
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Community-Led Solutions That Address the Root Causes of America's Unique Longevity Problem Can Improve Health for All
Discusses causes of mortality in the United States, with data on chronic disease, suicide, and injuries. Includes an interactive county-level map showing suicide deaths per 100,000 people, along with contextual community conditions such as people per primary care physician and mental health provider, unemployment rates, median household income, and broadband access, with rural versus urban counties highlighted.
Sponsoring organization: County Health Rankings & Roadmaps
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Rural Healthy Aging: Policy and Infrastructure Opportunities for the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP)
Offers recommendations for integrating aging-related policies into existing Rural Health Transformation Program plans. Includes recommendations around planning, access to care, caregiving, technology, aging in place, and integrated care models. Includes resources for implementation and information on funding.
Sponsoring organizations: National Rural Health Association, Stratis Health
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Rural Economic Development Tool
Dashboard providing county-level data on employment, income, economic function, internet infrastructure, population, housing, and more. Data may be compared among individual counties, by other counties with similar levels of rurality, and state and national trends, among other metrics.
Sponsoring organization: Center on Rural Innovation
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Heartland Telehealth ECHO Series
A Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) series focused on providing access to specialty care expertise by connecting healthcare providers to specialist teams via videoconferencing. Covers a wide array of topics such as clinician burnout, artificial intelligence (AI), effective billing strategies, and more.
Sponsoring organization: Heartland Telehealth Resource Center
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