Rural Spotlight

NRHA Accepting Health Equity Council Applications

October 11, 2024

NRHA Accepting Health Equity Council Applications

The National Rural Health Association’s (NRHA’s) Health Equity Council is currently seeking applications through November 14 for individuals interested in serving on the council board, which highlights issues related to rural, underserved, and often under-represented populations.

NRHA’s Health Equity Council and Conference highlight issues often faced by LGBTQIA+, veteran, and homeless rural residents as well as multiracial and multicultural members of rural communities.

NRHA encourages applications from members of all races, religions, national origins, genders, sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions, and ages, as well as veterans and individuals with disabilities for open positions beginning January 1, 2024

Click Here to Apply

Live Virtual Conference: Empowering Our Community Anti-Human Trafficking Conference, November 7

October 11, 2024

Live Virtual Conference: Empowering Our Community Anti-Human Trafficking Conference, November 7

Human trafficking is a significant issue in Missouri. Traffickers target individuals who are vulnerable due to factors such as poverty, homelessness, substance abuse, mental health issues, immigration status, or previous experiences of trauma.

Missouri’s central location in the United States makes it a transit hub for human trafficking networks. Human trafficking is often underreported due to fear, shame, language barriers, mistrust of authorities, and lack of awareness among potential victims and the general public.

Efforts to combat trafficking require a multi-sectoral approach involving law enforcement, healthcare professionals, social service agencies, policymakers, and community members working together to prevent exploitation, identify victims, and provide comprehensive support services.

With increased awareness and skills, stakeholders will tailor prevention strategies, outreach efforts, and victim centered services to address the diverse needs of individuals affected by human trafficking in Missouri.

Target Audience

  • Nurses & APRNs
  • Law Enforcement
  • First Responders
  • Social Workers
  • Mental Health Therapists
  • Business & Community Members
  • Students

When: Thursday, November 7, 8 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Click Here to Register

CEHP Webinar Series: Firstline Infection Prevention, October 17

October 11, 2024

CEHP Webinar Series: Firstline Infection Prevention, October 17

This webinar series is presented by the University of Missouri Continuing Education for Health Professions (CEHP) and focuses on the basics of infection control. These webinars cover topics like how viruses spread, proper cleaning, and how to use personal protective equipment.

The content is delivered in plain language with practical applications.

If you are confused about infection control, this is the place to start.

Cost: Free

When:

  • What does it mean to Recognize Risk, Thursday, October 17, 12:00p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
  • How Germs Make People Sick, Thursday, December 5, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
  • Recognizing Risk Using Reservoirs: A Review, Thursday, February 13, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Click Here to Register

Washington County Hospitals & Clinics Recognized as Top 20 Critical Access Hospital at National Rural Health Conference

October 11, 2024

Washington County Hospitals & Clinics Recognized as Top 20 Critical Access Hospital at National Rural Health Conference

Washington County Hospital & Clinics (WCHC) was recognized last month for its commitment to excellence in rural healthcare at the National Rural Health Association’s (NRHA’s) Critical Access Hospital (CAH) conference in Kansas City, Missouri.

The NRH’s evaluation, based on the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance Index, assesses hospitals across eight categories:

  • Inpatient and outpatient market share
  • Quality
  • Outcomes
  • Patient perspective
  • Cost
  • Charge
  • Finance

According to the release, the NRHA designated WCHC one of the Top 20 Critical Access Hospitals in the United States, this past April.

Click Here to Read Full Release

Upcoming Webinar: Launching & Scaling Virtual Nursing Programs, October 24

October 11, 2024

Upcoming Webinar: Launching & Scaling Virtual Nursing Programs, October 24

Are you contemplating a virtual nursing program but unsure where to start?

This webinar offers a comprehensive guide to launching virtual nursing at any stage from basic setups with iPads to advanced, fully integrated systems with cameras and equipment. Learn from nationally renowned experts who will provide actionable steps and strategic insights, whether you’re a facility piloting virtual nursing or a health system ready to expand.

Discover the critical differences between virtual nursing and virtual sitting, and how each uniquely impacts patient care and staffing.

Learning Objectives:

  • Identify Key Components for Launching a Virtual Nursing Program
  • Develop a Strategic Plan for Scaling Virtual Nursing Programs
  • Apply Actionable steps to Any Technology Environment

Equip your team with the knowledge and tools to move forward, regardless of your current landscape.

This webinar will resonate with:

  • CNOs
  • ED Medical Directors
  • CMOs
  • Nursing Executives
  • Directors of Technology

Cost: Free

When: Thursday, October 24, 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Click Here to Register

Calling for Nominations: Rural Health Champions

October 10, 2024

Calling for Nominations: Rural Health Champions

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Office of Rural Health and Primary Care is seeking nominations for 2024 Missouri Rural Health Champions.

This award is designed to honor a minimum of one individual and one group, depending on the number and type of nominations received. The individual or group nominee should demonstrate how their contributions are making a difference in Missouri rural health care through collaboration, education, innovation, and communication.

Nominations deadline is October 31, 2024.

Click the link below to nominate your Rural Health Champion today.

https://missouriwic.iad1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_577fdtH0vuFfUuW

2024 Rural Health Day Celebration, November 21

October 10, 2024

2024 Rural Health Day Celebration, November 21

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Office of Rural Health and Primary Care is hosting the Annual Missouri Rural Health Day celebration to honor the noble, community-spirited nature that prevails in rural Missouri.

Missouri Rural Health Day promotes the “Power of Rural” and the ongoing efforts to communicate, educate, collaborate, and innovate to improve the health of rural Missourians.

Cost: Free

  • No registration fee
  • No parking fee
  • Lunch will be served

When: Thursday, November 21, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Location:

  • Capital Bluffs Event Center at Turkey Creek Golf Course
  • 1616 Oil Well Road
  • Jefferson City, MO 65101

Audience: The audience is anyone interested in rural health; associations, hospitals, clinics, state agencies, community groups, and legislators.

Registration is required.

Click link below to register:

https://missouriwic.iad1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2bLZp8DouVcbe62

Need assistance with the registration process or have questions:

Please contact Diana Winder, diana.winder@health.mo.gov, 573 526-2486

Bill Aims to Keep Labor, Delivery Open in Underserved Areas

October 10, 2024

Bill Aims to Keep Labor, Delivery Open in Underserved Areas

An emergency roadside childbirth after the closing of the maternity unit at the nearest hospital is stoking health care worries in a sparsely populated Pennsylvania county.

The National Rural Health Association (NRHA) supports a new bill that would amend federal law to enhance financial support for rural and safety net hospitals providing maternity, labor, and delivery services to vulnerable population.

Additionally, HHS says Medicaid insurers can do more to improve maternal health care access, and NRHA’s Government Affairs team recently produced a policy brief on rural maternal health.

Click Here to Read More

An Updated Model of rural Hospital Financial Distress – North Carolina Rural Health Research and Policy Analysis Center

October 10, 2024

An Updated Model of rural Hospital Financial Distress – North Carolina Rural Health Research and Policy Analysis Center

From January 2005 to May 2024, 219 rural hospitals closed or converted to a facility without inpatient services. Hospital financial distress is often cited as a main contributor to closure and thus is a key target for policies aimed to protect rural health care access.

Researchers from the North Carolina Rural Health Research and Policy Analysis Center created a model for predicting rural hospital closures in 2017. This update for 2024 was published last week in the Journal of Rural Health.

Click Here to Read Article

Webinar: Hospital Price Transparency: What Hospitals Need to Know – Part 2, October 15

October 10, 2024

Webinar: Hospital Price Transparency: What Hospitals Need to Know – Part 2, October 15

Beginning January 1, 2021, hospitals operating in the United States are required to provide clear, accessible pricing information online about the items and services they provide.

This webinar will discuss the latest hospital price transparency policies effective January 1, 2024.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) subject matter experts will review the latest policy requirements and enforcement actions for hospital price transparency effective July 1, 2024 through January 30, 2025

Click Here to Access Slide and Audio from Part 1 of this series

Cost: Free

When: Tuesday, October 15, 11:00 a.m.

Click Here to Register