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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Healthcare quality

VA Health Care: Office of Rural Health Efforts and Recommendations for Improvement
Presents an evaluation of the Veterans Health Administration's Office of Rural Health (ORH). Discusses the methods the ORH uses to improve healthcare quality and access for rural veterans, such as initiatives to expand VHA services to rural veterans and funding research to improve the healthcare quality in rural areas. Evaluates the ORH's efforts and makes recommendations for improvement.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 01/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS): 2024 Eligibility and Participation Quick Start Guide
Provides an overview of the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) eligibility criteria. Addresses calculation of the low-volume threshold exclusion at the individual and group levels, opt-in and voluntary reporting options, and the impact of special status designations such as rural and small practices.
Date: 01/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Telemedicine Use and Decrements to Type 2 Diabetes and Hypertension Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Examines type 2 diabetes and/or hypertension quality of care as associated with telemedicine use during the COVID-19 pre-pandemic (March 13, 2019 to December 31, 2019) and pandemic (March 13, 2020 to December 31, 2020) periods. Examines variables such as HbA1c monitoring and control, blood pressure monitoring and control, and telemedicine use. Presents data according to patient demographic information including age, sex, race/ethnicity, marital status, insurance type, health conditions, and metropolitan, micropolitan, small town, or rural residence.
Author(s): Hector P. Rodriguez, Elizabeth Ciemins, Karl Rubio, et al.
Citation: BMC Digital Health, 2, 2
Date: 01/2024
Type: Document
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Hawai'i State Center for Nursing 2024 Annual Report: A Report for Governor Josh Green and the Hawai'i State Legislature
Provides an overview of the Hawaiʻi State Center for Nursing's activities in Fiscal Year 2024. Reports on the Center's funding structure, education and training programs, data gathering and research activities, and other efforts to improve nursing workforce recruitment, retention, and ability to provide high-quality care. Identifies workforce trends, and strategies for improvement. Highlights rural needs and projects.
Date: 2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Hawai'i State Center for Nursing
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Overall Hospital Quality Star Rating: Overview for Flex Programs, Critical Access Hospitals 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: 2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Quality Improvement Technical Assistance (RQITA) Resource Center
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The University of Arizona Center for Rural Health Annual Report FY 2023-2024
Highlights the Center for Rural Health's accomplishments, and describes challenges and opportunities for improving the health of rural Arizonans in the upcoming year. Discusses the State Office of Rural Health, Arizona Health Improvement Plan (AzHIP), Arizona Rural Hospital Flexibility program (AzFLEX), Arizona Small Rural Hospital Improvement Program (AzSHIP), and other programs.
Date: 2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Arizona Center for Rural Health
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Challenges of EHR "Meaningful Use" in Rural Health Centers
Describes a South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control quality improvement initiative to reduce health disparities for people with hypertension and high blood cholesterol in rural areas. Discusses the extent to which rural health centers were able to disaggregate data and report quality measures using electronic health records (EHRs). Highlights barriers to engaging in meaningful use, including rurality, staffing, and financial challenges.
Author(s): Courtney Brightharp, Kristian Myers, Jennifer Mandelbaum
Citation: Journal of Public Health Management and Practice, 30, S127-S129
Date: 2024
Type: Document
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Assessing and Advancing Progress in the Delivery of High-Quality Cancer Care: Proceedings of a Workshop
Proceedings of a workshop focused on assessing progress in cancer care quality and equity in the past decade, from 2013-2023. Includes discussion on changes, strategies, and advances in cancer care, as well as how to improve cancer care for various populations, such as rural residents.
Additional links: Read Online
Author(s): National Cancer Policy Forum
Date: 2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Health and Medicine Division (HMD), National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
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RPM for FQHCs and RHCs: 10 Things to Consider
Details issues related to remote patient monitoring (RPM) and remote therapeutic monitoring (RTM) in Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). Covers reimbursement and billing, implementation, and quality of care.
Date: 2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Southeastern Telehealth Resource Center
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Federally Qualified Health Centers Financial and Operational Performance Analysis 2019-2022
Examines financial and operational characteristics of Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) from 2019-2022. Explores FQHC growth and expansion, patient and payer mix, financial performance, revenue and growth mix, quality of care, staffing, and more. Compares data on rural FQHCs to urban and national FQHC data. Requires name, email address, and organization information to download.
Date: 2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Capital Link
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