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.

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.

Intermountain Healthcare Connect Care Pro®
Updated/reviewed October 2017

• 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.