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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Healthcare quality

Trends in Racial, Ethnic, Sex, and Rural-Urban Inequities in Health Care in Medicare Advantage: 2009-2018
Presents an analysis of historical trends in inequities by race and ethnicity, sex, and rural-urban residence among Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans nationwide. Uses patient experience and clinical care measures to examine how inequities in healthcare have changed between 2009 and 2018, how scores for each beneficiary group have changed over time, and which inequities remained in 2018.
Date: 12/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, RAND Corporation
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Association Between Area-Level Socioeconomic Deprivation and Diabetes Care Quality in US Primary Care Practices
Results of a study examining the association between deprived and rural areas and optimal diabetes care, using data from patients who received care at Mayo Clinic or Mayo Clinic Health System primary care practices in Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin in 2019. Features statistics with breakdowns by urban, rural, and highly rural areas.
Author(s): Shaheen Shiraz Kurani, Michelle A. Lampman, Shealeigh A. Funni, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 4(12)
Date: 12/2021
Type: Document
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2021 National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report
Provides a comprehensive summary and data analysis of healthcare quality and access in the U.S. Includes a discussion of disparities encountered by race/ethnicity and geographic locations along the rural-urban continuum. Addresses access to healthcare, patient safety, person-centered care, care coordination, effective treatment, healthy living, and care affordability.
Date: 12/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
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COVID-19 National Emergency: Early Trends in Hospitalizations for Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program Health Conditions and 30-Day Readmission Rates
Provides an overview of the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP). Describes monthly trends in hospitalizations of Medicare beneficiaries for HRRP conditions before and after the implementation of COVID-19 emergency measures through September 30, 2020. Examines how monthly trends in unadjusted 30-day readmission rates before and after implementation of COVID-19 emergency measures and how these rates differ by sociodemographic characteristics, including rurality. Discusses policy opportunities and interventions to enhance post-discharge follow-up and reduce readmission rates.
Date: 12/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Understanding the "Tool-ish-ness" of Telehealth: Q&A with Dr. Jonathan Neufeld
An interview with clinical psychologist and program director for the Great Plains Telehealth Resource & Assistance Center, Dr. Jonathan Neufeld. Discusses the role of telehealth in healthcare delivery. Describes how telecommunications tools can be used by providers to bring quality care to rural areas.
Author(s): Kay Miller Temple
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 12/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Quality Time: Sharing PIE - Patient and Family Engagement
Podcast episode discussing ways two Critical Access Hospital (CAH) engage patients and families in the healthcare process, how the CAHs gather feedback about the patient and family experiences, and how the CAHs use this information to inform their quality improvement efforts. Also describes how the COVID-19 pandemic affected patient experience and engagement activities.
Date: 12/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Stratis Health
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Quality Improvement Resources for Rural Health Care Organizations
Lists prominent organizations, learning resources, and programs related to healthcare quality improvement and provides a short list of recommended reading. Designed for healthcare professionals who are new to the field.
Date: 12/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Stratis Health
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A Predictive Model of Hospital Choice for Rural Residents Seeking Surgery
Webinar discussing research on factors impacting rural patient choice for inpatient surgery. Discusses healthcare quality and patient outcomes in Critical Access Hospitals, the impact of patient bypass on rural facilities, and characteristics of hospitals, patients, and surgeries associated with bypass. Transcript available in the video description.
Date: 11/2021
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Rural Health Research Program
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Gradual Adoption of Needle Biopsy for Breast Lesions in a Rural State
Examines disparities in minimally invasive breast biopsy (MIBB) usage in rural and urban areas of Vermont, based on 9,122 diagnostic episodes from 1999 to 2018. Includes demographic data of women who underwent biopsy broken down by age, history of breast biopsy, education, and rural versus urban residence. Discusses efforts to eliminate disparities in relationship to MIBB rates to improve standard of care.
Author(s): Serena Murphy, Yi-Chuan Yu, Colleen Kerrigan, Brian Sprague, Michelle Sowden
Citation: Cancer Medicine, 10(23), 8320-8327
Date: 11/2021
Type: Document
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2019 National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report: Chartbook on Rural Health Care
Summarizes trends in healthcare quality and disparities for rural populations. Includes quality measures for access to healthcare, patient safety, person-centered care, care coordination, effective treatment, healthy living, and affordability.
Author(s): Barbara Barton, Romsai Tony Boonyasai, Cecilia Hahn
Date: 11/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
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