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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Maternal health and prenatal care

Incidence of Adverse Events in Indian Health Service Hospitals
Explores the occurrence of harm events in Indian Health Service (IHS) hospitals. Discusses the rates of adverse harm events, or those leading to prolonged or permanent patient harm, and temporary harm events. Breaks down data by hospital size and patient age and reason for admission. Makes recommendations regarding quality control and oversight.
Date: 12/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Office of Inspector General (HHS)
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Instances of IHS Labor and Delivery Care Not Following National Clinical Guidelines or Best Practices
Evaluates the labor and delivery practices of Indian Health Service (IHS) hospitals and highlights instances when they deviate from national clinical guidelines. Discusses the negative patient outcomes from deviating from national guidelines and makes recommendations regarding site visits and training.
Date: 12/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Office of Inspector General (HHS)
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The Surgeon General's Call to Action to Improve Maternal Health
Describes the state of maternal health in the United States, including data and statistics on mortality and morbidity. Discusses risks to maternal health, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, infectious diseases, mental health conditions, intimate partner violence, and more. Recommends strategies and actions that individuals, organizations, and communities can implement to improve maternal health and reduce maternal morbidity and mortality. Includes rural references throughout.
Date: 12/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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Healthy Women, Healthy Pregnancies, Healthy Futures: Action Plan to Improve Maternal Health in America
Action plan outlining steps the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is taking to reduce maternal mortality and address disparities that endanger women before, during, and following pregnancy. Four main goals include: improving prevention and treatment services to promote positive health outcomes for every woman of reproductive age; prioritizing quality improvement efforts to support healthy pregnancies and births; improving postpartum health; and enhancing data and research to inform future interventions. Includes data and statistics on maternal health and morbidity, and addresses rural considerations throughout.
Author(s): Dawn Alley, Andre Chappel, Nancy De Lew, et al.
Date: 12/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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Infant Mortality in Rural and Nonrural Counties in the United States
Examines infant mortality at the county level and across the rural-urban continuum of the U.S. Utilizes infant death records from 2014 to 2016 to analyze infant mortality by rural-urban classification, county-level demographics, and individual-level demographics and healthcare characteristics.
Author(s): Deborah B. Ehrenthal, Hsiang-Hui Daphne Kuo, Russell S. Kirby
Citation: Pediatrics, 146(5)
Date: 11/2020
Type: Document
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The Complex Geographies of Telelactation and Access to Community Breastfeeding Support in the State of Ohio
Study examining face-to-face and virtual breastfeeding support options in Ohio, comparing access in urban and rural areas. Explores potential for telelactation services to increase access for rural mothers, noting the barrier of broadband service access. Offers maps that represent spatial data on breastfeeding support access and that identify locations where breastfeeding support interventions would have the most impact.
Author(s): Tony H. Grubesic, Kelly M. Durbin
Citation: PLoS One, 15(11), e0242457
Date: 11/2020
Type: Document
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Introducing Telehealth to Rural and Indigenous Communities: A Telehealth 101 Virtual Workshop for Tribes
Webinar recordings from a 2-day workshop on telehealth implementation in rural and Indigenous communities. Presentation topics include telehealth business, technology, standards, and evaluation; health equity; maternal health; Indian Health Service (IHS) resources; telehealth funding; telebehavioral health and telemedicine-based Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT); and other telehealth-related topics.
Date: 11/2020
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organizations: American Indian Public Health Resource Center, Health Resources and Services Administration, North Dakota Department of Health
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Promoting Access to Care for Women of Reproductive Age with Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders in Rural Communities
Report highlights the barriers to mental healthcare and substance use disorder treatment for rural women of reproductive age. Discusses continuity of care, access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and workforce shortages among other barriers. Presents recommendations, such as telehealth and care coordination, and provides program examples from different states.
Date: 11/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs, Georgia Health Policy Center
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Emergency Obstetric Training Needed in Rural Hospitals without Obstetric Units
Results of a survey of 47 nurse managers and emergency department administrators from rural hospitals without obstetric care. Examines the types of trainings and resources that would better prepare these hospitals to handle obstetric emergencies.
Author(s): Mary Gilbertson, Mariana Story Tuttle, Kristin DeArruda Wharton, Katy Backes Kozhimannil
Date: 11/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Doulas Enhance the Birthing Experience: Brookings Health System, Brookings, SD
Case study profiling Brookings Health System, a rural health system in South Dakota, and its implementation of a free doula program. Discusses the impact of the doula program, patient and staff, satisfaction, lessons learned, and future goals for the program.
Date: 11/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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