Enrollment is Open for the NRHA Fall 2023 Cohort and spring 2024 Cohort

August 29, 2023

Enrollment is Open for the NRHA Fall 2023 Cohort and spring 2024 Cohort

Empower your state’s rural hospital executives to take command of their leadership growth. Assist the urgent mission of rural healthcare leadership development!

Small classes exclusively for rural hospital executives are now enrolling for the October 2023 CEO and CNO Cohorts and the annual March 2024 CFO Cohort.

Rural Hospital CEO Certification Program – Now enrolling for fall 2023 Cohort and spring 2024 Cohort

  • Developed for Rural Hospital CEOs, by Rural Hospital CEOs
  • Participants engaging in this program will be empowered to lead rural hospitals as CEOs to thrive, not just survive, and to improve the quality of life in rural America by effectively leading their hospitals and communities to create a culture of wellness.

Apply Now

Rural Hospital CNO Certification Program – Now enrolling for fall 2023 Cohort

  • Get paired with a volunteer rural hospital CNO Mentor
  • Build your confidence and network – confidence building and network expansion are key takeaways from this program
  • Created with you in mind – curriculum is based on input from successful rural hospital CNOs from around the country

Apply Now

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

August 29, 2023

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

Register Here

NRHA Webinar – The Untapped Fiscal Potential of Chronic Wound Care

August 28, 2023

NRHA Webinar – The Untapped Fiscal Potential of Chronic Wound Care

In this webinar, Sarah Hull FNP, WCC, DWC will present valuable insights and practical strategies aimed at optimizing wound care management in Critical Access hospitals.

Participants will explore innovative approaches to chronic wound care, emphasizing the advantages of localized and cost-effective treatments. Sarah Hull will shed light on the benefits of incorporating advanced wound care therapies to improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.

The webinar will cover essential topics, including the significance of local wound care services, the effectiveness of advanced wound care therapies, and actionable steps for transforming your wound care center into a financial success. Attendees can expect to gain practical tips and best practices from Sarah Hull to maximize the fiscal potential of their wound care services.

Join us for this informative session to enhance your wound care practices and contribute to better healthcare outcomes while optimizing financial sustainability.

When: Thursday, October 12, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. CST

Register Now

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

August 28, 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 pm CST

Register Now

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

August 28, 2023

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

Join the National Rural Health Association (NRHA) for a 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 the 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 the healthcare receivables sector. Both bring their extensive expertise and commitment to enhancing rural healthcare practices.

When: Tuesday, September 19, 1:00 – 2:00 pm CST

Register Now

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

August 28, 2023

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

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

Join this insightful webinar designed exclusively for CEOs and C-Level administrators of rural hospitals as we 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 pm CST

Register Now

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

August 28, 2023

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 pm CST

Register Now

NRHA Webinar – Empowering Rural Healthcare: Transforming Quality and Revenue with PHM Technology

August 28, 2023

NRHA Webinar – Empowering Rural Healthcare: Transforming Quality and Revenue with PHM Technology

Join this exclusive webinar tailored to rural healthcare providers and discover how Franciscan Healthcare in West Point, Nebraska, achieved a remarkable transformation in its quality program and revenue with i2i Population Health’s cutting-edge PHM platform.

Get valuable insights from industry experts Anne Timmerman, Director of Quality at Franciscan Healthcare, and Justin Neece, CEO of i2i Population Health. Anne brings extensive experience in healthcare, specializing in infection control, patient safety, and active involvement in healthcare boards. Justin’s leadership spans over 15 years, propelling i2i Population Health to become a top performer in the market, with recognition through awards like Best in KLAS and the Acenda Institute of Health 2023 Momentum Award for Top Sector Innovator.

Explore how seamless EHR integration, dynamic registries, and quality reports can drive proactive care coordination, gap closures, and improved patient outcomes. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about the potential of PHM technology in rural healthcare.

When: Tuesday, August 29, 1:00 – 2:00 pm CST

Register Now

Equum Medical Launches the Lighthouse Series: Inspiring Success Stories in Telehealth and Healthcare Transformation

August 25, 2023

Equum Medical Launches the Lighthouse Series: Inspiring Success Stories in Telehealth and Healthcare Transformation

Equum Medical’s Lighthouse Series™ demonstrates telehealth’s positive impact on hospitals, enhancing staffing, patient safety, and revenue. These success stories showcase acute care telehealth services, aiding hospital staff, providing expertise, and efficiently transferring patients.

Telehealth addresses critical challenges like ED capacity, ICU mortality, and clinician burnout, offering accessible care and cost reduction. Dr. Scurlock, Equum’s CEO, highlights the need to share these stories for broader adoption.

The series offers insights and strategies for implementing telehealth, emphasizing its potential for positive healthcare change. It’s a resource for professionals to grasp telehealth’s applications and impact on outcomes.

Karsten Russell-Wood, CMO, envisions the series as evidence of telehealth’s effectiveness during industry transformation. Equum Medical’s active involvement in industry associations furthers access to telehealth insights for hospitals.

Read More

Extreme Weather, Finances Threaten Farmer Mental Health

August 25, 2023

Extreme Weather, Finances Threaten Farmer Mental Health

The drought sweeping through the Midwest has forced many farmers to make tough operational decisions, which can lead to mental health concerns. Stressors including extreme weather, financing, and familial struggles are associated with farmer anxiety and depression.

According to NRHA, the suicide rate among farmers is three-and-a-half times higher than the general population. A recent KFF report looks at suicide data and change over the last decade, with 20ss showing the highest number of deaths on record.

Join the discussion on strategies for behavioral health integration for RHCs and FQHCs with the experts at NRHA’s Rural Health Clinic Conference, September 26-27 in Kansas City.

Read Article on Suicide rate among farmers

KFF report

Register for NRHA Rural Health Clinic Conference