Category: NRHA

How Midwives Can Help with Declining Rural OB Care

May 1, 2023

How Midwives Can Help with Declining Rural OB Care

Some midwives say home births could help more patients in the wake of rural hospital maternity ward closures that have left many families with no obstetric care options nearby. In recent years, several rural Northeast Ohio hospital systems have closed their maternal care centers, forcing patients to drive farther and leaving some with no maternity ward at all. Instead of taking on the burden of extra travel, some rural families are looking to midwives to help fill gaps in care. Let’s share rural-specific strategies to prevent rural maternal morbidity and mortality and address disparities and shortages at NRHA’s 46th Annual Rural Health Conference May 16-19 in San Diego.

Medicaid Changes Loom as COVID-era Regulations End

May 1, 2023

Medicaid Changes Loom as COVID-era Regulations End

Ending the COVID-19 PHE will require states to disenroll Medicaid recipients who were eligible for coverage as a result of COVID-era regulations. During a recent conference held by the Rural Health Association of Arkansas, an NRHA member, David Mantz of Dallas County Medical Center said hospitals won’t turn away patients who lose their Medicaid coverage, explaining that this would lead to more uncompensated care. It is estimated 15 to 30 percent of Arkansans will be disenrolled from Medicaid. NRHA hopes to help rural health stakeholders continue to communicate COVID-19 vaccine efficacy and safety with the Rural Vaccine Confidence Initiative toolkit.

Rural Communities Face Steep Climb in Race for Childcare

May 1, 2023

Rural Communities Face Steep Climb in Race for Childcare

Across America, about half of the population lives somewhere with inadequate access to childcare, with that number going up to 59 percent for rural communities. Even when families can find available openings for childcare, the cost can be too high. As far back as 2017, childcare has been the single largest household expense across much of the country. Additionally, NRHA is cohosting a webinar at 2 p.m. CDT May 9 on the National Pediatric Readiness Quality Initiative, a free platform that enables EDs to measure and analyze – in real-time and at the patient level – their progress on quality metrics that improve outcomes for children.

California Finds 6% Higher Mortality After Closure

May 1, 2023

California Finds 6% Higher Mortality After Closure

In January, Madera Community Hospital — the only hospital in all of Madera County, Calif. — was forced to close due to financial loss. Now the nearest emergency health care facilities are at least 30 miles away. A recent study found the mortality rate increased in rural California communities by 5.9 percent upon the closure of a hospital. Additionally, the American Hospital Association says persistent high costs, the end of the PHE, and the expected departure of millions of Americans from the Medicaid rolls spell trouble for hospitals. NRHA will share strategies to maintain rural health care access and keep rural hospitals open at NRHA’s 8th Rural Hospital Innovation Summit May 16-19 in San Diego.

University Launches Ambitious Effort to Reduce Disparities

May 1, 2023

University Launches Ambitious Effort to Reduce Disparities

Over the past two decades, life expectancy in rural areas has declined, with one major factor being the prevalence of diabetes. To improve the health and well-being of rural and minority populations, UVA School of Medicine has launched a new Center for Health Equity and Precision Public Health. Additionally, new research led by NRHA member Jan Probst of the Rural and Minority Health Research Center looks at how close some ZIP codes were to different kinds of health care and access in areas with higher proportions of racial and ethnic minorities. Your chance to explore the intersection of health equity and social determinants with the experts is at NRHA’s 46th Annual Rural Health Conference and 28th Health Equity Conference May 15-19 in San Diego.

NRHA Upcoming Webinar: Keeping Care in Our Communities: Telehealth as a Lifeline for Rural Healthcare

April 12, 2023

NRHA Upcoming Webinar: Keeping Care in Our Communities: Telehealth as a Lifeline for Rural Healthcare

Thursday, May 4, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. CST

Join healthcare experts Steve Barnett, Corey Scurlock, and Rodney Buchanan in an informative webinar on telehealth for rural healthcare facilities. With their combined experience of over 60 years in successful rural hospital operations, healthcare management, financial analysis, strategic planning, and business development, the panelists will provide tangible insights into implementing telehealth solutions that are both successful and profitable.

In this discussion-driven webinar, the panelists will share how to identify where telehealth can fit in your organization and how to get started. They will debunk myths about the cost and complexity of telehealth and provide best practices for implementation. Additionally, the benefits of ongoing program measurement and goal communication will be discussed to help you gain buy-in over time.

Register

NRHA Upcoming Webinar: Swing Bed Culture and Attention to Rural Healthcare, a Transitional Care Model

April 12, 2023

NRHA Upcoming Webinar: Swing Bed Culture and Attention to Rural Healthcare, a Transitional Care Model

Thursday, April 27, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. CST

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 assisting patients to transition to their highest level of independence, Transitional Care is a program that involves the patient and family, makes available the total 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 independent and part of health systems. Allevant clients have cared for over 12,000 patients, representing over 158,000 swing bed days.

With a strong focus on quality, outcomes, and growth, Allevant clients saw an average increase in swing bed days of 55% by the second year. 64% of patients were categorized as complex medical or complex surgical, a growing patient population. Only 7% of Transitional Care patients were discharged directly back to acute care during a program stay of fewer 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.”

Learn more at www.Allevant.com

Register

NRHA’s First Rural Hospital HR Certification Program Cohort

April 4, 2023

NRHA’s First Rural Hospital HR Certification Program Cohort

The increasing rates of employee burnout and turnover coupled with the struggle to recruit and retain staff are just some of the everyday obstacles faced by rural hospital HR Leaders.

Along with constantly changing policies and regulations and a lack of resources across the board, there has never been a more crucial time to support rural hospital HR Leaders.

NRHA is excited to announce the Rural Hospital HR Certification Program to support, strengthen, and connect rural hospital HR leaders across the nation.

Be a Pioneer in the May 2023 HR Cohort! The first Cohort launches May 25.

NRHA’s Rural Hospital Certification Program is open to those currently working as an HR executive/leader in rural hospitals. Enrollment requires the following:

Currently employed as an HR executive/leader in a rural hospital

Complete the enrollment form

Upload a signed letter of support from your CEO

Upon receipt, enrollment documents will be reviewed and a follow-up email will be sent confirming admission and providing payment options.

Click Here to learn more and enroll.

NRHA’s Rural Health Nurse Certification Program Now Enrolling

April 3, 2023

NRHA’s Rural Health Nurse Certification Program Now Enrolling

The National Rural Health Association (NRHA) Rural Health Nurse Certification Program is now enrolling for its first Cohort! This multifaceted course is designed to equip rural nurses with the information they need and a network of colleagues to help them provide high quality care in rural settings while recognizing and celebrating their vast skill sets.

In this program nurses will:

Create a nationwide network of like-minded, rural nurses

Explore 10 relevant, rural healthcare specific modules with experienced nurse leader subject matter experts

Solidify and grow knowledge base and confidence

This program is for current rural health nurses – RNs, LPNs/LVNs.

Cohort starts May 24th at 5:00 p.m. EST

Click here for more information and to enroll

NRHA Webinar – Become a Certified Rural Hospital Board Member

March 24, 2023

NRHA Webinar – Become a Certified Rural Hospital Board Member

The Board of Trustees for a rural hospital oversee unique, challenging, and complex decisions that rural hospital leaders make to ensure the prosperity of not only their facility but also their community

NRHA is launching the Rural Hospital Board Certification Program to provide rural hospital Board members with the tools, knowledge, and network of peers and experts they need to thrive in their roles. Providing guidance for a rural hospital is different, one of the resounding reasons for the creation of this program.

Created by successful rural hospital Board Members for rural hospital Board Members.

To learn more about this program, sign up for the upcoming webinar:

April 13, 2023, 1:00 – 2:00 PM EST – Register Here

To view all available programs, click here.