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Rural Health Information Hub

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

Hospitals' Use of Electronic Health Records Data, 2015-2017
Analyzes 2015 to 2017 data from the American Hospital Association Information Technology Survey to determine trends in how electronic health records (EHR) data is used to inform clinical practices and hospital processes. Includes information on EHR data use in small, rural, and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs).
Author(s): Sonal Parasrampuria, Jawanna Henry
Date: 04/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology
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Protocol for Links (Linking Individual Needs to Community and Clinical Services): A Prospective Matched Observational Study of a Community Health Worker Community Clinical Linkage Intervention on the U.S.-Mexico Border
Describes Linking Individual Needs to Community and Clinical Services (LINKS), a 3-year observational tool developed to examine the impact of CHW-led interventions using electronic health records and other applications to reduce chronic disease risk and promote well-being among Latinos residing in the U.S. Mexico border region of Arizona.
Author(s): Abby M. Lohr, Maia Ingram, Scott C. Carvajal, Kevin Doubleday, Benjamin Aceves, et al.
Citation: BMC Public Health,19, 399
Date: 04/2019
Type: Document
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Broadband Mapping: Challenges and Solutions
Recording of a hearing from the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation focusing on efforts to collect more accurate broadband coverage information. Includes testimonies from the U.S. Telecom Association, Competitive Carriers Association, Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation, and others regarding current mapping challenges and the importance of broadband access for rural communities, including for healthcare services.
Additional links: Jonathan Spalter Testimony, Mike McCormick Testimony, Mike Oblizalo Testimony, Tim Donovan Testimony
Date: 04/2019
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organizations: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, U.S. Senate
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Electronic Capabilities for Patient Engagement among U.S. Non-Federal Acute Care Hospitals: 2013-2017
Describes hospital trends regarding patients' ability to view, download, and transmit (VDT) electronic health information and other capabilities related to online patient engagement. Provides data and analysis by hospital type, including Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) and rural hospitals, on the percent of: hospitals where patients can VDT their health data electronically; active patient portals; and hospitals offering electronic capabilities to their patients, such as refill requests, bill pay, and other services.
Author(s): JaWanna Henry, Wes Barker, Lolita Kachay
Date: 04/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology
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Rural Pulse 2019: Rural/Urban Findings - March 2019
Results of a survey of 1,560 Minnesota residents, exploring their views on issues including access to healthcare, behavioral health services, public transportation, and elder care, and how well these issues are being addressed at the state and local levels. Features statistics including demographics with breakdowns by urban and rural residence, and survey responses with breakdowns by 6 Minnesota regions.
Date: 03/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Blandin Foundation
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North Dakota Tests Innovative Health IT Approaches to Improve Hypertension Identification and Control in Workplaces
Highlights a hypertension identification and control project in North Dakota. The program expanded blood pressure screening access to rural and tribal communities; leveraged health information technology; and included partnerships with local health departments, emergency medical services, health systems, and health insurance companies. Summarizes the program's strategies and activities, results, lessons learned, and recommendations.
Date: 03/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Association of State and Territorial Health Officials
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Planning and Partnerships: Coordinating Rural Resources for Emergency Preparedness and Response
Discusses how rural healthcare facilities can prepare for natural and man-made disasters, the need for flexibility, and the importance of learning from others' experiences. Includes examples of rural communities and providers responding to a tornado in Iowa, an earthquake in Alaska, and an armed hostage standoff in South Dakota.
Author(s): Tami Lichtenberg
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 03/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Broadband Loan and Grant Programs in the USDA's Rural Utilities Service
Discusses disparities in rural broadband access and Rural Utilities Service (RUS) programs intended to address this issue. Addresses criticisms of RUS broadband programs and related legislation, including the amount of Rural Development Telecom Awards for each state. Highlights the benefits of broadband access, such as rural economic development and telemedicine.
Date: 03/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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Rural Development Telecom Awards, 2012-17
Bar chart showing total awards and total recipients by year for USDA Rural Development telecommunications programs, with totals including the Broadband Access Loan and Loan Guarantee Program, Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant Program, Community Connect Grant Program, and Telecommunications Infrastructure Loan and Loan Guarantee Program.
Date: 02/2019
Type: Chart/Graph
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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American Broadband Initiative Milestones Report
Highlights steps for the federal government to take to increase broadband access and increase private-sector investments in broadband. Discusses broadband and mobile broadband deployment and adoption in the U.S. and offers statistics by urban, rural, and tribal lands. Provides recommendations discussing strategies, objectives, and overcoming barriers to increase broadband in urban and rural areas and tribal lands.
Date: 02/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Agriculture
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