Utah Models and Innovations

These stories feature model programs and successful rural projects that can serve as a source of ideas. Some of the projects or programs may no longer be active. Read about the criteria and evidence-base for programs included.

Intermountain Healthcare Connect Care Pro®
Updated/reviewed October 2018

• Need: An aging population, shortage of medical providers, and reforms in reimbursement systems were just some of the challenges for rural areas recognized by Intermountain Healthcare.
• Intervention: In response, they’ve developed an Intermountain TeleHealth Services strategy to provide consultation and emergency medical help electronically for patients and clinicians in both urban and remote areas.
• Results: Intermountain has installed video and audio conferencing platforms in over 1,200 locations. To date, mortality rates and length of hospital stays have decreased, and patient retention has increased.

Wholesome Rx
Updated/reviewed June 2018

• Need: A tangible way for providers to increase patients' access to affordable healthy food.
• Intervention: With Wholesome Rx, a fruit and vegetable prescription program, providers prescribe vouchers for patients to redeem for fruits and vegetables at local healthy food retailers.
• Results: Over 10,000 people have received Wholesome Rx prescriptions in rural and urban areas across 10 states.

Hope Squad
Updated/reviewed March 2018

• Need: To reduce youth suicide rates in Utah.
• Intervention: Hope Squad is a statewide program that trains youth to look after their classmates and refer those with suicidal thoughts or other mental health concerns to adult advisors.
• Results: Surveys indicate that Hope Squad members increase and retain their knowledge of suicide and increase help-seeking behaviors after completing training.

Utah Rural Independent Hospital Network
Updated/reviewed March 2018

• Need: To help ensure the viability of and improve quality at 9 rural, independent hospitals serving 11 Utah counties.
• Intervention: A network organization was created to allow member hospitals to communicate, network, and undertake projects together.
• Results: Members take advantage of cost savings, education, and networking opportunities through group projects and programs.

Canyon Creek Women's Crisis Center
Added December 2017

• Need: To reduce and prevent domestic violence and sexual assault in Utah's rural Beaver, Garfield, and Iron counties.
• Intervention: The Canyon Creek Women's Crisis Center provides a 24/7 mobile crisis team, emergency shelter, and community education.
• Results: In one year, the CCWCC provided 80 individuals with emergency shelter, counseling, legal advocacy, and/or emergency financial assistance for those who needed a new place to live.

Western Healthcare Alliance Laboratory Services Network
Updated/reviewed December 2017

• Need: Increased efficiency for medical laboratory testing in rural western Colorado and Utah hospitals.
• Intervention: Creation of a network for education, operational consulting, best practice development, and group contracting with discounted services for hospital laboratories.
• Results: Lower laboratory testing costs with improved quality, efficiency, and turnaround times leading to increased healthcare quality.