Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Critical Access Hospitals
Quality Time: Sharing PIE - Using "Small Data" to Drive Big Improvements
Podcast episode exploring how two Critical Access Hospital (CAH) leaders utilize data for quality improvement. Discusses how different kinds of data have informed quality improvement initiatives and considerations for analyzing data in low-volume contexts.
Date: 06/2021
Type: Audio
Sponsoring organization: Stratis Health
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Podcast episode exploring how two Critical Access Hospital (CAH) leaders utilize data for quality improvement. Discusses how different kinds of data have informed quality improvement initiatives and considerations for analyzing data in low-volume contexts.
Date: 06/2021
Type: Audio
Sponsoring organization: Stratis Health
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Mid-Level Leaders and the Transition to Value Video Series
A 6-part video series on healthcare leadership for mid-level Critical Access Hospital (CAH) leaders. Provides information and strategies on leading a team through the shift to value-based payment with training modules on strategic and systems thinking, collaborative and change leadership, healthcare finance, and talent development.
Additional links: Action Plan, Discussion Questions and Recommended Activities, Resource Guide
Date: 05/2021
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organizations: National Rural Health Resource Center, Technical Assistance and Services Center
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A 6-part video series on healthcare leadership for mid-level Critical Access Hospital (CAH) leaders. Provides information and strategies on leading a team through the shift to value-based payment with training modules on strategic and systems thinking, collaborative and change leadership, healthcare finance, and talent development.
Additional links: Action Plan, Discussion Questions and Recommended Activities, Resource Guide
Date: 05/2021
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organizations: National Rural Health Resource Center, Technical Assistance and Services Center
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Overall Hospital Quality Star Rating: Overview for Flex Programs and Rural Stakeholders
Provides an overview of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Overall Hospital Star Ratings posted on the CMS Care Compare website. Describes the methodology for the Overall Hospital Star Ratings, including information on measure selection, measure grouping, measure group scores and hospital scoring, and peer grouping and star rating assignment. Discusses the implications these ratings have on Critical Access Hospitals and other small rural hospitals.
Date: 05/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Stratis Health
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Provides an overview of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Overall Hospital Star Ratings posted on the CMS Care Compare website. Describes the methodology for the Overall Hospital Star Ratings, including information on measure selection, measure grouping, measure group scores and hospital scoring, and peer grouping and star rating assignment. Discusses the implications these ratings have on Critical Access Hospitals and other small rural hospitals.
Date: 05/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Stratis Health
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Critical Access Hospital Response to COVID-19
Webinar recording summarizing results of a survey of Critical Access Hospital (CAH) executives in eight states regarding the hospitals' ability to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic from February-August 2020. Covers survey findings related to CAH finance, federal waivers and regulatory flexibilities, capacity for treatment, workforce, and partnerships. Discusses opportunities for future research on COVID-19 response and preparedness for future disasters and public health emergencies.
Additional links: Presentation Slides
Author(s): Madeleine Pick, Megan Lahr, Ira Moscovice
Date: 04/2021
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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Webinar recording summarizing results of a survey of Critical Access Hospital (CAH) executives in eight states regarding the hospitals' ability to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic from February-August 2020. Covers survey findings related to CAH finance, federal waivers and regulatory flexibilities, capacity for treatment, workforce, and partnerships. Discusses opportunities for future research on COVID-19 response and preparedness for future disasters and public health emergencies.
Additional links: Presentation Slides
Author(s): Madeleine Pick, Megan Lahr, Ira Moscovice
Date: 04/2021
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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Promising Flex Program Initiatives to Support Critical Access Hospitals during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Reports on promising State Flex Program (SFP) strategies to support Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) and address priority needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Highlights initiatives implemented by SFPs in seven states: Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Kentucky, Montana, Pennsylvania, and Wyoming. Discusses strategies regarding support for frontline staff, staff communication, communication to rural communities, clinical and service improvement, and CAH and Rural Health Clinic financial performance. Discusses ongoing considerations and concerns.
Author(s): Celia Jewell, Sara Kahn-Troster, John Gale
Date: 04/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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Reports on promising State Flex Program (SFP) strategies to support Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) and address priority needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Highlights initiatives implemented by SFPs in seven states: Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Kentucky, Montana, Pennsylvania, and Wyoming. Discusses strategies regarding support for frontline staff, staff communication, communication to rural communities, clinical and service improvement, and CAH and Rural Health Clinic financial performance. Discusses ongoing considerations and concerns.
Author(s): Celia Jewell, Sara Kahn-Troster, John Gale
Date: 04/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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Care Systems COVID-19 Impact Assessment: Lessons Learned and Compelling Needs
Explores the clinical and public health responses and experiences of hospitals and health systems during the COVID-19 pandemic. Presents policy actions and policy considerations to leverage the lessons of the pandemic to improve health system financing, infrastructure, and coordination. Includes information on challenges and priority areas for consideration for rural hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals.
Author(s): Jeffrey Balser, Jaewon Ryu, Michelle Hood, et al.
Date: 04/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Academy of Medicine
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Explores the clinical and public health responses and experiences of hospitals and health systems during the COVID-19 pandemic. Presents policy actions and policy considerations to leverage the lessons of the pandemic to improve health system financing, infrastructure, and coordination. Includes information on challenges and priority areas for consideration for rural hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals.
Author(s): Jeffrey Balser, Jaewon Ryu, Michelle Hood, et al.
Date: 04/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Academy of Medicine
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Interpreting MBQIP Hospital Data Reports for Quality Improvement
Designed to help Critical Access Hospital (CAH) staff use Medicare Beneficiary Quality Improvement Project (MBQIP) Hospital Data Reports to support quality improvement efforts and improve patient care in their facility. Includes examples of how to interpret MBQIP reports, links to additional resources, and a glossary of keywords.
Date: 03/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Stratis Health
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Designed to help Critical Access Hospital (CAH) staff use Medicare Beneficiary Quality Improvement Project (MBQIP) Hospital Data Reports to support quality improvement efforts and improve patient care in their facility. Includes examples of how to interpret MBQIP reports, links to additional resources, and a glossary of keywords.
Date: 03/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Stratis Health
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Exploring the Intersection of Rural Housing Quality and Health: Healthcare Providers and Housing Experts Provide Insight
Focuses on rural housing quality as a social determinant of health. Describes how healthcare, housing, and public health organizations can work together to address housing issues and improve population health. Features a Vermont healthcare system and several national programs working to address rural housing quality.
Author(s): Kay Miller Temple
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 03/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Focuses on rural housing quality as a social determinant of health. Describes how healthcare, housing, and public health organizations can work together to address housing issues and improve population health. Features a Vermont healthcare system and several national programs working to address rural housing quality.
Author(s): Kay Miller Temple
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 03/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Evaluation of the Use of CAH Cohorts for Quality Improvement Activities
Describes how State Flex Programs (SFPs) use cohorts of Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) in quality improvement initiatives. Discusses the benefits and challenges of CAH cohorts, how SFPs are evaluating the impact of these initiatives, and opportunities to enhance the use of cohorts in Flex Program activities. Includes findings from interviews with six SFPs.
Author(s): John Gale, Celia Jewell, Sara Kahn-Troster, Nathan First
Date: 03/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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Describes how State Flex Programs (SFPs) use cohorts of Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) in quality improvement initiatives. Discusses the benefits and challenges of CAH cohorts, how SFPs are evaluating the impact of these initiatives, and opportunities to enhance the use of cohorts in Flex Program activities. Includes findings from interviews with six SFPs.
Author(s): John Gale, Celia Jewell, Sara Kahn-Troster, Nathan First
Date: 03/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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Report to Congress on Medicaid and CHIP, March 2021
Reports on five aspects of Medicaid: 1) improving Medicaid's responsiveness during economic downturns; 2) addressing concerns about high rates of maternal morbidity and mortality; 3) reexamining Medicaid's estate recovery policies; 4) integrating care for people who are dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare; and 5) improving hospital payment policy for the nation's safety-net hospitals. Chapter 5 examines the relationship between disproportionate share hospital (DSH) allotments to states and the number of uninsured individuals, the amounts and sources of hospitals' uncompensated care costs, and the amounts and sources of hospitals' uncompensated care costs. Table 5-1 details DSH spending for urban and rural hospitals and for Critical Access Hospitals.
Date: 03/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission
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Reports on five aspects of Medicaid: 1) improving Medicaid's responsiveness during economic downturns; 2) addressing concerns about high rates of maternal morbidity and mortality; 3) reexamining Medicaid's estate recovery policies; 4) integrating care for people who are dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare; and 5) improving hospital payment policy for the nation's safety-net hospitals. Chapter 5 examines the relationship between disproportionate share hospital (DSH) allotments to states and the number of uninsured individuals, the amounts and sources of hospitals' uncompensated care costs, and the amounts and sources of hospitals' uncompensated care costs. Table 5-1 details DSH spending for urban and rural hospitals and for Critical Access Hospitals.
Date: 03/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission
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