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Rural Health Information Hub

Other Case Studies and Collections of Program Examples: Hospitals

In addition to RHIhub's Rural Health Models and Innovations rural program examples, you may also want to browse other case studies, databases, and websites with collections of health programs.

Each resource listed below uses its own criteria for selecting program examples, which may range from programs known to be effective based on research to anecdotal accounts. In each resource, you may want to review information on the level of evidence required for a program's inclusion.

May include non-rural programs that could be applicable to rural health delivery.

Doulas Enhance the Birthing Experience: Brookings Health System, Brookings, SD
Case study profiling Brookings Health System, a rural health system in South Dakota, and its implementation of a free doula program. Discusses the impact of the doula program, patient and staff, satisfaction, lessons learned, and future goals for the program.
Date: 11/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Models of Success in Rural Maternity Care: Kearny County Hospital
Profiles the maternity program at Kearny County Hospital, a Critical Access Hospital in rural Lakin, Kansas. Describes key features of the program including mission-based recruitment and strong communication. Includes recommendations for emulating this model.
Author(s): Carrie Henning-Smith, Mary Gilbertson
Date: 11/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Models of Success in Rural Maternity Care: Western Wisconsin Health
Profiles Western Wisconsin Health, a Critical Access Hospital in rural Wisconsin with a successful obstetrics unit. Describes the philosophy of the leadership and staff, as well as the scope of services. Includes recommendations for emulating this model.
Author(s): Katy B. Kozhimannil, Mary Gilbertson
Date: 11/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Rural Success: Avera Holy Family Hospital, IA
Profiles the quality improvement efforts of Avera Holy Family Hospital, a Critical Access Hospital in rural Iowa. Discusses quality initiatives regarding the Emergency Department Transfer Communication (EDTC) measure, patient experience, and antibiotic stewardship.
Date: 11/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Stratis Health
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Rural Success: Pembina County Memorial Hospital, ND
Describes the quality improvement efforts of Pembina County Memorial Hospital (PCMH), a Critical Access Hospital in Pembina, North Dakota. Discusses PCMH's use of patient experience data, communication regarding emergency department transfers, and antibiotic stewardship efforts.
Date: 10/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Stratis Health
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Rural Success: Paris Community Hospital, IL
Describes the quality improvement efforts of Paris Community Hospital in rural Paris, Illinois. Highlights the success of the emergency department's communication with other departments and facilities and opportunities to improve the hospital's antibiotic stewardship.
Date: 09/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Stratis Health
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Living and Learning Through COVID-19 - Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital and Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital
Profiles how two CAHs in rural Lincoln County, Oregon, prepared for and responded to a COVID-19 outbreak. Discusses steps taken to address staffing, supply chain, and cultural awareness challenges that emerged during the pandemic.
Date: 08/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Texas SORH Fosters Quality Champions in Rural Hospitals Across the State
Details how the Texas State Office of Rural Health (SORH) developed a Quality Improvement Training Program (QITP) and associated fellowship program to improve rural healthcare quality in the state's hospitals. The QITP trains participants, helps them become certified for the Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) exam, and encourages them to complete quality improvement projects within local hospitals.
Author(s): Beth Blevins
Date: 08/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health
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Pennsylvania Hospital Transitions HRSA-Funded Program to Online Services and Addresses COVID-19 Stress
Features Butler Memorial Hospital and how it adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic. Highlights the switch to online delivery for a chronic disease project funded by a HRSA Rural Health Care Services Outreach grant. Also describes initiatives to address healthcare workforce stress, help patients use tablets to visit with loved ones, and distribute healthy food to the community.
Author(s): Allee Mead
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 07/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Healthy St. Landry Alliance Leads Coordinated Community Response During COVID-19 Pandemic
Profiles Healthy St. Landry Alliance, a consortium of 25 local partners in rural St. Landry Parish, Louisiana, and its response to COVID-19. Describes how the Alliance enacted a communications and response system to manage the regional response to the pandemic. Offers lessons learned and future goals of the collaboration.
Date: 05/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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