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Resources by Topic: Critical Access Hospitals

Critical Access Hospital Patient Safety Priorities and Initiatives: Results of the 2004 National CAH Survey
Describes patient safety activities at Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) based on a 2004 survey of 474 CAH administrators. Includes information on patient safety priorities, challenges CAHs face in implementing patient safety interventions, and pharmacy staffing and computer systems to prevent medication errors.
Author(s): Michelle Casey, Ira Moscovice, Jill Klingner
Date: 09/2004
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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Quality Improvement Activities in Critical Access Hospitals: Results of the 2004 National CAH Survey
Describes quality improvement efforts in Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) based on a 2004 survey of 474 CAH administrators. Includes data on the use of clinical guidelines and quality measures in CAHs, and the role of Medicare Quality Improvement Organizations (QIOs).
Author(s): Michelle Casey, Ira Moscovice, Jill Klingner
Date: 09/2004
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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2004 CAH Survey National Data
Presents key results from on a national telephone survey of 500 Critical Access Hospital (CAH) administrators between January and April 2004. Topics addressed include CAH scope of services and any changes in services during the previous two years; organizational relationships and their impact on CAH operations; quality improvement and patient safety activities; and community impact.
Author(s): Michelle Casey, Jill Klingner
Date: 08/2004
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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A Synthesis of State Flex Program Plans 2003-2004
Describes trends in state activities for the Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility Program (Flex Program). Includes an overview and specific state examples for different aspects of the Flex program, including rural health planning, Critical Access Hospital designation, EMS, quality improvement, and health information technology.
Date: 05/2004
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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The Financial Benefits of Critical Access Hospital Conversion for FY 1999 and FY 2000 Converters
Discusses the impact of conversion to Critical Access Hospital (CAH) status on the financial condition of rural hospitals one and two years after conversion. CAHs' pre- and post-conversion revenues are compared, and CAH revenues are compared to small rural hospitals that did not convert to cost-based Medicare reimbursement.
Author(s): Jeffrey Stensland, Gestur Davidson, Ira Moscovice
Date: 01/2004
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (P.L. 108-173): A Summary of Provisions Important to Rural Health Care Delivery
Overview of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (P.L. 108-173) as it relates to rural healthcare. Includes information on how this Act impacts beneficiaries, healthcare access, and payments to rural healthcare providers.
Author(s): Keith J. Mueller
Date: 01/2004
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis, Rural Policy Research Institute
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Modeling the Frontier Extended Stay Clinic Conditions of Participation and Reimbursement Methodologies
Discusses the financial feasibility of the Frontier Extended Stay Clinic (FESC), a proposed provider type to expand services in remote and isolated primary care clinics. Compares Medicare reimbursement for FESC status with Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), Rural Health Clinic (RHC), and Critical Access Hospital (CAH) reimbursement. Includes detailed examples of financial impact for seven clinics in rural Alaska, Nevada, Washington, and Wyoming.
Date: 2004
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Federal Office of Rural Health Policy
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Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003
Text of the legislation that adds a prescription drug benefit to Medicare and enhances some rural healthcare programs, such as the Critical Access Hospitals program.
Date: 11/2003
Type: Document
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Medicare: Modest Eligibility Expansion for Critical Access Hospital Program Should Be Considered
Examines the Critical Access Hospital (CAH) program and makes recommendations on CAH eligibility related to the ban on inpatient psychiatric or rehabilitation distinct part units and the limit on patient census.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 09/2003
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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The Financial Effects of Critical Access Hospital Conversion
Describes how the first wave of conversions to Critical Access Hospital (CAH) status affected rural hospitals' financial performance and organizational structure.
Author(s): Jeffrey Stensland, Gestur Davidson, Ira Moscovice
Date: 01/2003
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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