Author: dianawinder

Washington County’s Integrated Health Model Receives Top National Award

September 15, 2023

Missouri’s Own Washington County’s Integrated Health Model Receives Top National Award

The Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) announced that the Washington County Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH) Network in Potosi, Mo., was awarded the top prize of $150,000 in the nationwide program, “Building Bridges to Better Health: A Primary Health Care Challenge.” This is not only a win for the Washington County MIH Network and other networks in Missouri, but for all Missourians challenged with accessing traditional “brick and mortar” healthcare.

This challenge began in 2022, and activated and accelerated the development and testing of low-cost, scalable technical assistance solutions. Participating organizations’ solutions yielded resources that HRSA-supported health centers across the country can use or scale to improve health outcomes for their patients. A focus of the Challenge was to address key drivers of poor health and social determinants of health (SDOH) that contribute to poor health outcomes. Solutions resulting from the Challenge will support health centers to enhance access to primary care and to improve care coordination with other local providers and social service organizations to address SDOH.

Challenge winner, Washington County Mobile Integrated Healthcare Network, is the first mobile integrated care model in the country that is a primary partnership with an Emergency Medical Services agency (Washington County Ambulance District) and a federally qualified health center (Great Mines Health Center). The third partner is Community Asset Builders, a resource development and support company who strives to support systems of care. The “MIHN” model is now being replicated in several counties across Missouri and the mid-west region.

This challenge aligns with HRSA’s Advancing Health Center Excellence Framework, which aims to help advance health center performance and innovation, and specifically connects to the key domain of Population Health and Social Determinants of Health.

Key Impacts & Results of the Washington County Mobile Integrated Healthcare Network

  • Achieved a 50% reduction in costs, demonstrated through captured Medicaid and Medicare savings data by the Washington County MIH Network.
  • Improved clinical measures, including higher rates of preventive screenings and better managed blood pressure, compared to health center patients who did not participate in the MIH Network.
  • In Washington County, MO, a food distribution service provided food to 1,794 households (4,729 individuals).
  • In Washington County, Community Health Workers and Community Paramedics are now co-located at the health center and have daily huddles to improve care coordination and service delivery.
  • 100% patient satisfaction in Washington County.

For more information about the Building Bridges to Better Health: A Primary Health Care Challenge, visit Challenge.gov.

Allevant Solutions Launches Project Swing Bed on the MENDS®: A Decade of Expertise Fuels New CAH Shared Learning Collaborative

September 19, 2023

Allevant Solutions Launches Project Swing Bed on the MENDS®: A Decade of Expertise Fuels New CAH Shared Learning Collaborative

On October 1, 2023, Allevant is launching a cohort of “Project Swing Bed on the MENDS®, a Critical Access Hospital (CAH) Shared Learning Collaborative. Participating CAHs will have access to Allevant staff, tools and resources to maximize their Swing Bed program and begin to implement MENDS®, a wellness program for healthcare staff and post-acute patients.

Expected Outcomes

  • Improved Health Outcomes
  • Shortened post-acute length of stay
  • Low rate of post-acute patients discharged back to acute care
  • High level of post-acute patients discharged back to independent settings
  • Increased staff and community focus on wellness behaviors
  • Increased patient wellness
  • Improved long-term health
  • Expanded Capacity for Essential Health Care Services
  • Increased utilization of CAH swing beds
  • Increase in confidence and capabilities of rural health workforce to provide post-acute care services locally
  • New focus on wellness strategies for rural staff and post-acute patients
  • New processes to facilitate rural primary care practices to support continuation of patient-identified wellness strategies for newly discharged rural post-acute patients
  • Increased Financial Sustainability
  • CAH-increased census and revenue
  • Long term reduction in costs associated with increased staff wellness
  • Lower Medicare costs per patient day

What you will Receive

  • Multi Professional Training and Education
  • Learning modules
  • Available resource documents
  • Project management and collaboration with peers
  • Licensing and use of the brand
  • Clinical and workflow process reengineering
  • Referral education development and support
  • Quality database management utilizing core key indicators
  • Continued program development and support

Learn more

Upcoming Webinar – First Rural Physician and Advanced Practice Provider Compensation Survey Results

September 15, 2023

Upcoming Webinar – First Rural Physician and Advanced Practice Provider Compensation Survey Results

Earlier this year, Stroudwater partnered with the National Rural Health Association (NRHA) to develop a physician and advanced practice provider compensation survey for rural organizations. This survey provided much-needed insight into provider compensation by state and region.

During this webinar, Stroudwater in partnership with NRHA will share:

  • The results of the first rural-focused compensation survey
  • How being a part of a health system impacts compensation
  • How compensation competitiveness is impacted by state practice environments

The results of this survey will allow rural hospitals to use data to make more informed decisions when considering provider compensation and additional benefits.

Register Here

NRHA Webinar – Seven Steps to Highly Successful Facility Investments in Rural Health

September 8, 2023

NRHA Webinar – Seven Steps to Highly Successful Facility Investments in Rural Health

NRHA Webinar – Seven Steps to Highly Successful Facility Investments in Rural Health

Navigating the unique challenges of rural healthcare demands a specialized approach. With over 20 years of partnering with rural healthcare leaders and organizations, Brian Haapala has not only witnessed but actively shaped the landscape of rural healthcare investments. His involvement in 1.5 billion in rural capital projects has equipped him with unmatched insights – insights he will share in this presentation. Focusing on the intricacies of planning for USDA Community Facilities loans, this session is tailored to meet the pressing needs of rural healthcare executives. Here’s what you can expect:

  • Organizational Readiness: Recognize the early signs indicating your facility’s readiness for investment and streamline the path to financing.
    • Budget Creation: Unearth strategies to ensure every dollar is allocated effectively, prioritizing both immediate needs and long-term sustainability.
    • Team Building: Discover the roles crucial to your project’s success and how to assemble a team that delivers.
  • Meeting Community Needs: Learn to fine-tune your projects, ensuring they resonate with, and address, genuine community needs.
  • Environmental and Site Requirements: Navigate the often-complex terrain of site selection in rural settings, from environmental concerns to logistical challenges.
  • Business Planning: Dive deep into creating a business strategy that not only looks good on paper but stands up to real-world rural challenges.
  • USDA Requirements: Demystify the specifics of USDA loans, from collateral to appraisal, ensuring you’re always a step ahead.
  • Collateral Security: Equip yourself with the knowledge to ensure that your pledged assets adequately protect both your facility and its stakeholders.

When: Friday, September 22, 11:00 – 1:00 p.m. CST

Register Here

 

NRHA Webinar – Swing Bed Culture and Attention to Wellness Vital to Rural Healthcare, a Transitional Care Model

September 8, 2023

NRHA Webinar – Swing Bed Culture and Attention to Wellness Vital to Rural Healthcare, a Transitional Care Model

Allevant, a joint venture between Mayo Clinic and Select Medical, helps Critical Access Hospitals by developing post-acute Transitional Care programs using available Swing Beds. Focused on helping patients transition to their highest level of independence, Transitional Care is a program that involves the patient and family, makes available the full resources of the Critical Access Hospital and focuses on measured outcomes and evidence-based processes to ensure patients get the best care possible.

Allevant has supported approximately 100 Critical Access Hospitals across 22 states including both independent and part of health systems. Our clients have cared for over 12,000 patients representing more than 158,000 swing bed days.

With a strong focus on quality, outcomes, and growth, our clients saw an average growth in swing bed days of 55% by the second year. 64% of patients were categorized as complex medical or complex surgical which is a growing patient population, and only 7% of Transitional Care patients were discharged directly back to acute care during a program stay of less than 30 days. 76% of patients were discharged from Transitional Care back to independence. The average patient rating was 4.83 out of 5 when asked if patients would “recommend the program to others”.

When: Wednesday, September 20, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. CST

Register Here

Upcoming NRHA Webinar – Tackling Bad Debt: A 20% Reduction Guide for Rural Hospitals

September 8, 2023

Upcoming NRHA Webinar – Tackling Bad Debt: A 20% Reduction Guide for Rural Hospitals

Join this webinar that delves into actionable strategies specific to rural healthcare facilities aimed at achieving a 20% reduction in Bad Debt. As we navigate an era where convenience and immediate information are paramount, understanding the nuances of the patient payment experience becomes crucial.

This session will cover:

  • How to refine patient communication for better engagement
  • Key elements of clear and informative billing statements
  • Enhancing digital payment services to meet evolving demands of patients ensuring more timely payments
  • Strategies to improve collection success at the point of service

Leading the discussion is Richard Rogers, who brings over 25 years in healthcare revenue cycle management and currently serves as a Board Member of both the Greater Illinois HFMA and Illinois AAHAM chapters, and Darren Cook, Vice President of Recovery Solutions at Magnet Solutions with 23 years in healthcare receivables sector. Both bring their extensive expertise and commitment to enhancing rural healthcare practices.

When: Tuesday, September 19, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. CST

Register Here

Upcoming NRHA Webinar – Bridging the Gap: Leveraging Telehealth to Drive Value-Based Care in Rural Hospital Settings

September 8, 2023

Upcoming NRHA Webinar – Bridging the Gap: Leveraging Telehealth to Drive Value-Based Care in Rural Hospital Settings

Join the National Rural Health Association (NRHA) for an insightful webinar designed exclusively for CEOs and C-Level administrators of rural hospitals as they delve into the crucial topic of value-based care and evolving applications of inpatient telehealth to complement patient access and clinical workforce strategies. Stroudwater, a leading healthcare consulting firm, and Equum Medical, a pioneer in innovative telehealth-enabled clinical workforce solutions, have joined forces to deliver a comprehensive webinar that explores the significance of value-based care in transforming rural healthcare delivery.

When: Thursday, September 14, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. CDT

Register Here

Upcoming NRHA Webinar – Care Coordination: Surrounding Patients with Care through PCMH

September 8, 2023

Upcoming NRHA Webinar – Care Coordination: Surrounding Patients with Care through PCMH

Join Healthcare experts Kate Hill, RN and Kristen Ogden, RN, from The Compliance Team, in a practical exploration of effective Care Coordination within the Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) model. Drawing from extensive experience, these professionals offer actionable insights honed through years of service, improving patient outcomes and practice efficiency. With a focus on rural clinics and communities, their guidance takes a hands-on approach.

In this webinar:

  • You will understand the critical role of Care Coordination in the PCMH model and its impact on patient care and results.
  • Identify practical avenues to strengthen care coordination within rural clinics and communities, promoting collaboration and comprehensive healthcare.
  • Learn effective strategies to integrate care coordination into practice, even in underserved areas.

When: Wednesday, September 13, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. CST

Register Here

Don’t Miss the National Telehealth Conference

September 8, 2023

Don’t Miss the National Telehealth Conference

The National Telehealth Conference is less than a week away! Join health care professionals, policymakers and industry stakeholders from around the country on September 12 to hear about the latest in telehealth.

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is hosting a virtual National Telehealth Conference that brings public and private sector leaders together to discuss telehealth best practices. The conference will examine the importance of integrating telehealth into standard care. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Administrator Carole Johnson and CMS Deputy Administrator Meena Seshamani, along with telehealth experts, are scheduled to attend.

Conference Topics Include:

  • The adoption of telehealth and expansion of broadband connectivity to improve health equity
  • Using tele-behavioral health as a successful model for integrating telehealth into the standard of care
  • Telehealth’s role in supporting the health care workforce and expanding services for patients
  • Implications of health policy to inform telehealth’s future in an evolving health care environment

When: September 12, 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. EST

See Agenda and Register

 

Health Professional Students’ Loan Repayment Application Open Now

September 8, 2023

Health Professional Students’ Loan Repayment Application Open Now

Health Professions Students: Pay off school debt through this Federal Loan Repayment Program.

Are you approaching your final year of school and need help paying off your debt? Consider applying for the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Students to Service Loan Repayment Program. Medical, Physician assistant, nursing and dental students can get money for school loans in exchange for serving in a community of need.

Receive up to $120,000 in addition to a competitive salary and benefits for three years of full-time service or part-time for six years. This year, there is an additional $40,000 supplement for medical students who commit to providing OB/GYN services in a maternity care target area.

Deadline to apply for this program is December 7, 2023. The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Students to Service Loan Repayment Program is a federal government program administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).

Learn More and Apply