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

Variation in Interoperability among U.S. Non-Federal Acute Care Hospitals in 2015
Discusses how health information is shared between hospitals, includes a review of the methods used and the rate of exchange between providers and health systems. Includes data and statistics on electronic health records (EHR), Health Information Exchange (HIE), and specific information about lower rates of EHR and HIE use of both in small, rural, and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs).
Author(s): Vaishali Patel, JaWanna Henry, Yuriy Pylypchuk, Talisha Searcy
Date: 07/2016
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy/Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology
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Hospitals Largely Reported Addressing Requirements for EHR Contingency Plans
Results of a study using self-reported data from 400 hospitals that received Medicare incentive payments for using a certified electronic health record (EHR) system as of September 2014. Information includes EHR contingency plans related to HIPAA requirements, practices for contingency planning recommended by two federal agencies, and hospitals' experiences with EHR disruptions. Features statistics with breakdowns by large or small hospitals, with small hospitals defined as those with 50 or fewer beds.
Date: 07/2016
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Office of Inspector General (HHS)
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Interoperability among U.S. Non-Federal Acute Care Hospitals in 2015
Estimates of the percentage of interoperable exchange activity among non-federal acute care hospitals, including whether patient information is electronically available from sources outside their own systems. Determines if that information is used for clinical decisions and discusses barriers to exchanging that information.
Author(s): Vaishali Patel, JaWanna Henry, Yuriy Pylypchuk, Talisha Searcy
Date: 05/2016
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy/Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology
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Adoption of Electronic Health Record Systems among U.S. Non-Federal Acute Care Hospitals: 2008-2015
Analyzes data from the American Hospital Association between 2008-2015 to describe trends in the use of Electronic Health Records (EHR). Includes small, rural, and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs).
Author(s): JaWanna Henry, Yuriy Pylypchuk, Talisha Searcy, Vaishali Patel
Date: 05/2016
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy/Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology
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Health Information Exchange: A Strategy for Improving Access for Rural Veterans in the Maine Flex Rural Veterans Health Access Program
Describes the design and implementation of a project to expand access to healthcare for rural veterans through a bi-directional link between a statewide Health Information Exchange (HIE) in Maine and Veterans Administration facilities. Discusses challenges and successes encountered in developing a health information system that is interoperable between a variety of complex agencies.
Author(s): Karen B. Pearson, Amanda Burgess, John A. Gale, Andrew F. Coburn, Anush Yousefian Hansen
Date: 05/2016
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Maine Rural Health Research Center
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The Economic Impact of Rural Broadband
Provides an estimate of the direct and indirect economic activities of the rural broadband industry on the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and their effect on other rural industries, including healthcare.
Date: 04/2016
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Hudson Institute
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Tribal Internet Access: Increased Federal Coordination and Performance Measurement Needed
Interviews officials from 21 tribal entities and 6 service providers to understand perspectives on high-speed internet access and barriers within remote tribal communities. Highlights the importance of high-speed internet for rural health care facilities to support telemedicine.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 04/2016
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Evaluation of the Regional Extension Center Program: Final Report
Overview of methods and findings about the Regional Extension Center (REC) program implementation and impact on adoption and meaningful use of electronic health record systems. Includes discussion of ways in which RECs operating in rural areas structured their programs, given limited infrastructure.
Author(s): Brandy Farrar, Grace Wang, Johannes Bos, et al.
Date: 04/2016
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy/Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology
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Evaluation of the Health Care Innovation Awards: Community Resource Planning, Prevention, and Monitoring: Second Annual Report
Second annual evaluations of 24 Health Care Innovation Awards Round One projects focused on enhancing care coordination and healthcare access through the use of health information technology, care coordination/patient navigation, and health promotion and prevention services. Discusses project impacts and challenges common across grantees. Includes profiles of 5 rural-focused projects, as well as projects serving rural and urban areas.
Date: 03/2016
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, RTI International
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Independence, Technology, and Connection in Older Age
Explores a wide range of technologies that promote continued independence and productivity for older Americans, including telehealth services for people in rural and underserved areas. Addresses lack of access to broadband or Internet connection in many rural areas.
Date: 03/2016
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology
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