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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Technology for health and human services

Social Needs Screening among Non-Federal Acute Care Hospitals, 2022
Examines the extent to which non-federal acute care hospitals collect and receive data on individual patients' health-related social needs using data from the 2022 American Hospital Association (AHA) Information Technology (IT) supplement. Describes how these data are used to promote patient and population health. Includes data on the routine collection of social needs and use of structured screening tools or diagnosis codes by hospital characteristics, including rural location, Critical Access Hospital designation, and size.
Author(s): Wei Chang, Chelsea Richwine
Date: 07/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy/Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology
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Two National-Level Organizations Supporting Rural Postpartum Health Across the United States
Provides background information on challenges of postpartum care in rural areas. Includes case studies of the VA's MomMoodBooster and of Pack Health, two national programs supporting rural postpartum mental health via online tools and peer support.
Author(s): Mariana Tuttle, Phoebe Chastain, Julia D. Interrante, Carrie Henning-Smith, Katy Backes Kozhimannil
Date: 07/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Changes in Telehealth Experienced by Advanced Practice RNs During COVID-19
Summarizes 7,467 advanced practice RNs' national survey responses from June-September 2020 about the use of telehealth before and during the pandemic, and analyzes free-text comments about how the use of telehealth changed during the pandemic. Discusses challenges in rural areas, including provider shortages and lack of broadband access.
Author(s): Mavis N. Schorn, Carole R. Myers, Julie Barroso, et al.
Citation: Computers, Informatics, Nursing, 41(7), 507–513
Date: 07/2023
Type: Document
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Indian Health Service: Actions Needed to Improve Use of Data on Adverse Events
Examines how the Indian Health Service (IHS) uses its electronic health record system to monitor healthcare quality and adverse events at federally-operated facilities. Discusses how IHS informs clinicians and patients about options for telehealth use. Offers recommendations to IHS regarding regularly reviewing adverse event trends, making improvements, and disseminating best practices.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 07/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Telehealth in Michigan: Insights and Data for Effective Policymaking
Examines telehealth usage in Michigan for the purpose of policymaking. Evaluates the impact of expanding telehealth in rural Michigan, usage by Federally Qualified Health Centers and Rural Health Clinics, broadband, and more. Suggests policy recommendations including for issues in rural telehealth.
Author(s): Chad Ellimoottil, Ziwei Zhu, Xinwei Hi, Monica Van Til
Date: 06/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Ethel & James Flinn Foundation, Michigan Health Endowment Fund
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A Rural Accountable Care Organization's Journey
Profiles South East Rural Physicians Alliance Accountable Care Organization (SERPA‐ACO), a physician‐led ACO consisting of 16 Nebraska clinics - 13 of which are rural. Describes various value-based payment models SERPA-ACO clinics participated in and activities the clinics use to succeed in these models. Includes recommendations for primary care clinics considering joining an ACO.
Date: 06/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Value
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Progress and Ongoing Challenges to Electronic Public Health Reporting Among Non-Federal Acute Care Hospitals
Data brief examining public health reporting among acute care hospitals, including rural hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), in 2022. Discusses challenges with the exchange of electronic health information, such as lack of capacity to exchange electronically, interface issues, and differing vocabulary standards. Presents data on the mean number of public health reporting types completed by hospital size, CAH status, rural/urban location, and independent/system affiliation. Appendix Table A4 contains data on the number of hospitals surveyed that reported at least one reporting challenge by state.
Author(s): Chelsea Richwine
Date: 06/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy/Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology
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Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program: Issues and Congressional Considerations
Provides an overview of the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, which was created to provide broadband service to unserved locations. Discusses three issues for potential consideration by Congress: determining unserved locations for BEAD funding allocations, connectivity technologies eligible for BEAD funding, and BEAD's relationship to other federal broadband programs.
Date: 06/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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A Geospatial Approach to Identify Patterns of Antibiotic Susceptibility at a Neighborhood Level in Wisconsin, United States
Examines the ability of geospatial and data visualization approaches to detect antibiotic susceptibility rates at a neighborhood level. Provides Wisconsin maps at the U.S. Census Block Groups level to report on neighborhood susceptibility rates. Discusses the related public health significance of this methodology.
Author(s): Laurel Legenza, Kyle McNair, Song Gao, et al.
Citation: Scientific Reports, 13, 7122
Date: 05/2023
Type: Document
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Interoperability among Hospitals Treating Populations That Have Been Marginalized
Examines how hospitals that serve more marginalized patients engage with interoperability. Compares the percentage of hospitals supporting interoperable exchange and participating in national networks by hospital characteristics, including Critical Access Hospital (CAH) designation and rural-urban status.
Author(s): Jordan Everson, Vaishali Patel, Andrew W. Bazemore, Robert L. Phillips
Citation: Health Services Research, 58(4), 853-864
Date: 05/2023
Type: Document
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