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Resources by Topic: Critical Access Hospitals

Quality Time: Sharing PIE - Becoming a QI Leader
First episode of a quarterly podcast focusing on Critical Access Hospital (CAH) performance improvement experiences. Profiles two CAH quality leaders who share strategies, tips, and lessons learned from their experiences becoming quality improvement professionals.
Date: 05/2020
Type: Audio
Sponsoring organization: Stratis Health
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CAHMPAS Financial Data Revisions
Provides an overview of new and revised financial indicators included in the Critical Access Hospital Measurement and Performance Assessment System (CAHMPAS) tool. Discusses the revised indicator framework and provides benchmarks and percentiles for all indicators for 2017 and 2018.
Author(s): Savannah Stallings, Ann Howard, George Pink, Kristin Reiter
Date: 05/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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Oregon Rural Hospitals
Shows a county-level map of Oregon identifying the location of rural hospitals including Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), non-CAHs, and sole community hospitals.
Date: 05/2020
Type: Map/Mapping System
Sponsoring organization: Oregon Office of Rural Health
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Best Practices from 14 CAH Executives Operating in Challenging Environments
Summarizes findings from interviews with Critical Access Hospital (CAH) chief executive officers about daily operations, forecasting, and community health outcomes. Identifies best practices of leaders of CAHs with low financial risk despite operating in challenging environments.
Author(s): Shartia R. Thomas, Kristin Reiter, George H. Pink
Date: 04/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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Patterns of Hospital Bypass and Inpatient Care‐Seeking by Rural Residents
Analyzes state inpatient data from 2014-2016 across 16 states to determine how inpatient hospital bypass behavior – rural residents utilizing a hospital other than their local hospital – is motivated by patient and hospital characteristics. Compares hospital characteristics, including Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), by rural bypass level and compares patient demographics by rural bypass status.
Author(s): Tyler Malone, Mark Holmes
Date: 04/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Rural Health Research Program
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Impact of CAH Participation in Flex Financial and Operations Improvement Activities on Hospital Financial Indicators
Explores the association between Critical Access Hospitals' (CAH) participation in financial and operational improvement activities between 2015 and 2018 with improved financial indicators. Compares CAH financial indicators and other variables including Rural Health Clinic operation, ownership type, and census region, by the number of years of participation in CAH improvement activities.
Author(s): Kathleen Knocke, Kristin Reiter, George H. Pink
Date: 04/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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Rapid Deployment of Telehealth Services for Rural Hospitals Fighting COVID-19
Profiles how a Critical Access Hospital in Minnesota implemented a telehealth network in preparation for COVID-19. Offers lessons learned for other healthcare providers looking to implement virtual healthcare models.
Date: 04/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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CAH Medicaid Payer Mix in Expansion vs. Non-Expansion States
Examines the change in median Medicaid payer mix among Critical Access Hospitals between 2013 and 2018 and compares the change across states that adopted Medicaid expansion and those that did not.
Author(s): Savannah Stallings, George Pink, Kristin Reiter
Date: 04/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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Rural COVID-19 Case Study: Surviving a COVID-19 Surge
Profiles an Indiana Critical Access Hospital's early experience with COVID-19. Outlines lessons learned regarding testing and treating COVID-19 patients, as well as ongoing preparations for additional cases. Highlights partnerships with area healthcare providers to navigate the pandemic.
Date: 04/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Hospital Experiences Responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results of a National Pulse Survey March 23–27, 2020
Reports on hospitals' challenges and needs in responding to the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Addresses access to testing, supplies, and equipment; workforce issues; facility capacity; the need for financial assistance; and information needs. Identifies strategies hospitals reported using the help protect staff and manage patient care. Includes information on rural hospitals' concerns.
Date: 04/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Office of Inspector General (HHS)
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