Rural Healthcare Quality – Resources

Healthy Women, Healthy Pregnancies, Healthy Futures: Action Plan to Improve Maternal Health in America
Action plan outlining steps the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is taking to reduce maternal mortality and address disparities that endanger women before, during, and following pregnancy. Four main goals include: improving prevention and treatment services to promote positive health outcomes for every woman of reproductive age; prioritizing quality improvement efforts to support healthy pregnancies and births; improving postpartum health; and enhancing data and research to inform future interventions. Includes data and statistics on maternal health and morbidity, and addresses rural considerations throughout.
Author(s): Dawn Alley, Andre Chappel, Nancy De Lew, et al.
Date: 12/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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Implementation of Antibiotic Stewardship Activities in Critical Access Hospitals
Recording of a November 18, 2020, webinar that covers the implementation of antibiotic stewardship (AS) activities. Discusses the 2019 National Healthcare Safety Network Survey results and examines challenges Critical Access Hospitals (CAH) face reporting and implementing AS measures. Provides practical suggestions for improving AS activities in CAHs. Transcript available in the video description.
Date: 11/2020
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organizations: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Federal Office of Rural Health Policy
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Rural-Relevant Quality Measures for Testing of Statistical Approaches to Address Low Case-Volume
Describes 15 rural-relevant quality measures susceptible to low case-volume challenges that could be used to test statistical approaches designed to address this problem. Discusses reporting challenges and gaps in rural health care quality measurement.
Additional links: Final List: Rural-Relevant Quality Measures for Future Testing of Technical Expert Panel (TEP) Recommended Statistical Approaches
Date: 09/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Quality Forum
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Grantee Directory: Small Health Care Provider Quality Improvement Grant Program, 2019-2022
Provides contact information and a brief overview for 32 initiatives funded by the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy through the Small Health Care Provider Quality Improvement Grant Program in the 2019-2022 funding cycle. The program supports rural primary care providers implementing quality improvement activities, with the goal of promoting the development of an evidence-based culture and delivery of coordinated care in the primary care setting.
Date: 03/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Federal Office of Rural Health Policy
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Antibiotic Resistance: Additional Federal Actions Needed to Better Determine Magnitude and Reduce Impact
Explores four challenges that federal agencies face in addressing antibiotic resistance. Provides eight recommendations for federal agencies to strengthen their efforts to combat antibiotic resistance. Includes references to antibiotic stewardship guidance and programs for Critical Access Hospitals throughout.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 03/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Hospital Compare Quality Measure Results for CAHs, 2018
Describes the rates at which Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) reported quality improvement measures in 2018. Reports state rankings based on reporting rates. Includes national CAH performance results of selected inpatient and outpatient quality measures. Contains links to state-specific reports.
Additional links: State Profiles
Author(s): Megan Lahr, Tongtan Chantarat, Ira Moscovice
Date: 03/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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Small Healthcare Provider Quality Improvement: Sourcebook, 2016-2019
Detailed descriptions of 32 rural quality improvement initiatives funded through the Small Health Care Provider Quality Improvement grant program during the 2016-2019 grant period. Initiatives focused on enhancing chronic disease management, increasing patient and caregiver engagement, improving quality of care, and better health outcomes.
Date: 02/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Federal Office of Rural Health Policy
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Williamson Health and Wellness Center: Williamson, WV
Highlights a Community-Driven Health Equity Action Plan as implemented by the Williamson Health and Wellness Center in West Virginia. Details the goals and focus of the program.
Additional links: Summary
Date: 02/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Academy of Medicine
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Gorge Health Equity Collaborative: Columbia Gorge Region, OR and WA
Presents a Community-Driven Health Equity Action Plan as implemented by the Gorge Health Equity Collaborative in Washington and Oregon. Highlights health and healthcare access of children and adults in the Columbia Gorge region.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 02/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Academy of Medicine
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Assessment of Rural-Urban Differences in Postacute Care Utilization and Outcomes Among Older US Adults
Results of a study of 2,044,231 Medicare beneficiaries who were hospitalized in 2011-2015 for pneumonia, stroke, heart failure, hip fracture, or COPD. Examines the frequency, type, and duration of postacute care, as well as readmission and mortality rates in people discharged to a community or to postacute care. Features statistics with breakdowns by urban area, rural community adjacent to urban area, or rural community nonadjacent to urban area.
Author(s): Cyrus M. Kosar, Lacey Loomer, Nasim B. Ferdows, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 3(1)
Date: 01/2020
Type: Document
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