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

Learn to Become a Rural Health Leader

August 31, 2023

Learn to Become a Rural Health Leader

The National Rural Health Association (NRHA) is accepting applications for the Rural Health Fellows program, a yearlong, intensive leadership training, through Sept. 14.

Each year, NRHA selects 10 to 15 highly motivated individuals who have proven their dedication to improving the health of rural Americans through their educational or professional experience. The goal of the Fellows program is to educate and develop a network of diverse rural leaders that will step forward to serve in key positions in the association, affiliated advocacy groups, and local and state legislative bodies with health equity as a main focus. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to give your leadership and advocacy skills a boost while collaborating with NRHA and likeminded rural health professionals from across the country.

2024 Rural Health Fellows class training sessions:

13-15, 2024 – Rural Health Policy Institute in Washington, D.C.
May 6-10, 2024 –Annual Rural Health Conference in New Orleans, La.
February 2025 – Rural Health Policy Institute in Washington, D.C.

Requirements

Applicants to the Rural Health Fellows Program must be NRHA members for at least one year before applying to the program and must remain a member in good standing through the duration of the program.
Applicants must demonstrate a strong commitment to improving the health of all people residing in rural America through the provision of equitable health care services. This commitment must be demonstrated in the personal statement, as well as the curriculum vitae/resume of the applicant.
Applicants must be willing and able to commit to monthly conference calls as part of the program and complete a project as a member of an Action Project Team.
Applicants must have a sponsor to support travel/lodging expenses to attend three NRHA meetings: 1) NRHA’s Rural Health Policy Institute, 2) NRHA’s Annual Rural Health Conference, 3) the fellows graduation ceremony.
Applicants must commit to attend all Rural Health Fellows training sessions.

Application Requirements

At least one year of membership in NRHA
Curriculum Vitae/ Resume
Personal statement

Program benefits

Developing leadership skills and mentorship under current NRHA leaders
Working with like-minded individuals to generate solutions to problems facing rural America
Driving rural health policy solutions on behalf of NRHA

Application Review Process

Applications are due Thursday, September 14, 2023.
Applications are reviewed and ranked by members of NRHA staff. A meeting is held to discuss applicants.
Applicants will receive an email on their acceptance or non-acceptance into the program. Applicants will have two weeks to respond to their acceptance email and secure their spot in the program.

Rural Health Fellows program costs

There is no program fee for participation in the Rural Health Fellows program
Applicants must have a sponsor (employer, corporate or self) responsible for all travel and lodging costs to attend the three training sessions.

Only 2 Weeks Left to Register!

Click to Register

3RNet Recruiting for Retention Academy – October 1

August 25, 2023

3RNet Recruiting for Retention Academy – October 1

The 3RNet Recruiting for Retention Academy is the only online training specific to recruitment and retention for rural and underserved communities. This six-part webinar series features practical, action-oriented content for health care employers using a workshop-type approach.

The Academy offers access to live webinars featuring national experts on clinician recruitment for rural and underserved areas. Six 90-minute sessions will take place every other week this fall from October 3 to December 12. The program is open to anyone with an interest in rural recruitment and retention, and is designed for safety net facilities such as Critical Access Hospitals and Rural Health Clinics.

Why Attend the Academy:

The best speakers – Academy speakers feature national known experts on rural/underserved recruitment and retention.
Relevant sessions – The Academy agenda is designed to provide you the most practical educational experience so you can produce better results for your community.
Anytime/anywhere – Get access to the recorded sessions and materials to use anytime you want.
More than a webinar series – Get continued support from 3RNet staff and access to the Academy listserv to ask questions and gain knowledge from other Academy attendees.
Rural and underserved specific – 3RNet knows you don’t have endless personnel and resources. Recruiting to a rural or underserved community is much different.
Over 20 years’ experience – 3RNet has been helping rural and underserved communities recruit better for over 25 years.
Your community – Healthcare is vital to your community, and Academy sessions will help you stay sharp to continue to recruit the best providers for your community.
Certificate of Completion – Show those in your organization you are dedicated to rural and underserved recruiting by obtaining a certificate of completion by attending and completing the Academy.

Who Should Attend the Academy?

Safety net facility employees
Recruiters
Human Resources
Medical Directors
Chief Financial Officers
Chief Executive Officer

Anyone interested in learning more about recruitment and retention best practices specific to rural and underserved areas should join the Academy.

Click to see Agenda

Cost: $500

RHC Learning Network – Developed for Missouri RHCs

August 21, 2023

RHC Learning Network – Developed for Missouri RHCs

You and your team are invited to the 1^st Rural Health Clinic (RHC) Learning Network developed for Missouri RHC’s.

The Office of Rural Health and Primary Care has provided funding to support the RHC Learning Network. This funding will cover 1 hotel stay and mileage travel expenses for those RHC’s that attend the RHC Learning Network and are outside of the Jefferson City area.

The goal of PROMPT is to:

Support RHCs/rural practices in transforming rural clinic practices to meet the ever-changing demands within the healthcare landscape
Improve clinical quality data capture and reporting
Improve quality performance and patient care in rural Missouri

PROMPT Learning Network topics include:

Highlighting RHC’s
Sharing of best practices
Subject matter experts

There is no registration fee and lunch will be provided at no cost.

When: Saturday, October 19, 9:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Where:

Missouri Soybean Association

934 S Country Club Dr.

Jefferson City, MO 65109

To take advantage of the funding provided by the Office of Rural Health and Primary Care (ORHPC):

Contact Charity Woodard at charity@cabllc.com for hotel reservations and the mileage reimbursement form.

Free Training and Technical Assistance Opportunity

August 18, 2023

Free Training and Technical Assistance Opportunity

You are invited to join the Primary Care Tobacco Cessation Health Systems Change Community of Practice (CoP). This is a great opportunity to receive free training and technical assistance to advance your tobacco cessation practices for individuals suffering from health conditions exacerbated by tobacco/nicotine use. The CoP is supported in partnership by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) and the Missouri Primary Care Association.

Whether your organization is starting to consider implementing tobacco use disorder (TUD) and nicotine-free policies or you want to continue integrating TUD into standard care, this CoP may be an excellent fit. As a participant, you will receive support and training to meet the individualized needs of your organization. National TUD and health systems change experts from the Behavioral Health and Wellness Program at the University of Colorado, School of Medicine will facilitate a peer learning environment where you will have the opportunity to set goals, share ideas, and overcome barriers with your peers from other Missouri primary care organizations.

This CoP is a low-burden opportunity for your organization to address TUD and assist many of your patients with improving their health.

It is anticipated that the CoP will consist of about 2-3 hours of monthly activity.
The CoP will begin in early September with an Introduction Webinar on August 30^th, 2023 from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
- Register for Introduction Webinar Here

Space is limited. To confirm your agency’s participation in the 2023 Primary Care Tobacco Cessation Health Systems Change Community of Practice (CoP), or for additional follow-up questions, please contact Valerie Howard at Valerie.Howard@health.mo.gov or (573) 522-28245 by August 8, 2023.

DHSS and MPCA, looks forward to further supporting you to enhance your agency’s tobacco control practices through this CoP opportunity.

Grants 101 Workshop in Kansas City – September 12, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

August 11, 2023

Grants 101 Workshop in Kansas City – September 12, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

The Health Resources and Services Administration, Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Regional Director – Region 7, invite you to this free workshop:

When:

September 12, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. CT

Where:

MCC – Penn Valley/Education Center; 3201 Southwest Trafficway, Kansas City, MO

Topics at a glance:

Federal Grant Application Process
Federal and State Funding Opportunities
Tips for Writing a Strong Application and Applying for Funding
Technical Assistance and Resources
Working with Foundations

Who should attend:

Health and Social Services Providers
Health Centers and Public Health Departments
Hospitals
Tribes and Tribal Organizations
Faith and Community-Based Organizations
Community Colleges
Universities

For more information, contact Nick Clasen at nickolas.clasen@hhs.gov or Michelle Schwarz at MSchwarz@hrsa.gov

Now Enrolling for Fall 2023 Cohort – Rural Hospital CEO Certification Program

August 11, 2023

Now Enrolling for Fall 2023 Cohort – Rural Hospital CEO Certification Program

NRHA’s Rural Hospital Certification Programs were created by rural hospital leaders for rural hospital leaders to empower them to lead their rural hospitals and communities to success. The Center for Rural Leadership has recently expanded its program offerings, with certifications now available for rural nurses, rural hospital board members, CMOs and human resources and the first cohorts in each launching this month.

Rural Hospital CEO Certification Program

Participants engaging in this program will be empowered to lead rural hospitals as CEO’s 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.

Curriculum

The building blocks that make up the course curriculum were developed by successful rural hospital CEOs by answering this question: “What do you know now that you wish you would have known then?

Leadership Building Bloc
- INTRA-Personal Leadership
- INTER-Personal Leadership
Operational Building Bloc
- Regulatory Compliance
- Data Analytics & Predictive Analytics
- Lean Management
- IT/Cybersecurity
- Insurance
- Strategic Planning & Working with your Board
Financial Building Bloc
- Fee for Service
- Population Health
- Dashboard Items
- Supply Chain
Clinical Building Bloc
- Physician/Patient Outcomes
- Physician/Providers
- Quality
- Physician Engagement

Learn more about this and other programs

Apply Now

Upcoming Webinar – The Star Struck Factor in Survey Mastery

August 9, 2023

Upcoming Webinar – The Star Struck Factor in Survey Mastery

The next webinar in the Engage series, The Star Struck Factor in Survey Mastery, with expert Brian Lee, is scheduled for September 8 at 9:30 a.m. CT.

Who Should Attend:

C-Suite
Executives
Leaders at every level
Board members
Quality
Physicians & ACPs
Everyone committed to improving the patient experience

You will learn how to:

Understand the purpose and goals of the CMS HCAHPS Inpatient Survey
Gain insights into the credibility of all CMS CAHPS Surveys
Become knowledgeable about the evolution and purpose of public social media “reputation management” rating sites and how they work
Interpret the impact of social media websites that empower consumers with rating transparency
Learn the fundamentals of reading and interpreting the patient experience survey data
Empower your leaders and caregivers to interpret and use patient experience survey reports for continuous improvement
Master the five questions leaders need to know and answer about their ongoing patient experience scores
Grow market share about star ratings and their market impact
Gain important insights about the significant financial impact of survey ratings on market growth and decline

2 Powerful Action Take-Away Tools:

The Patient Experience Reporting Protocol Guide
Seven Steps to Improve Patient Experience Response Rates

When: Friday, September 8, 9:30 a.m. CT

Cost: No charge

Become a Certified Rural Health Clinic Professional

August 8, 2023

Become a Certified Rural Health Clinic Professional

The National Association of Rural Health Clinics (NARHC) is offering Directors, Clinic Administrators & other RHC leaders a unique full-spectrum course designed to teach you how to operate a successful Rural Health Clinic. Upon course completion & attainment of an 80% or higher exam score, you will earn a Certified Rural Health Clinic Professional (CRHCP) designation.

Enrollment:

This course is offered twice a calendar year. Enrollment begins approximately 10 weeks prior to the date of the Final Exam taking place online.

View upcoming dates Here

Format:

This is a self-paced online course with a proctored online Final Exam

Time Commitment:

Most people complete the course in 4 – 6 weeks

Course Curriculum:

4 modules:

Admin & Finance
Billing & Coding
Regulatory Compliance & Quality
Federal Updates

Learn More

Swing Bed Culture and Attention to Wellness Vital to Rural Healthcare

July 31, 2023

Swing Bed Culture and Attention to Wellness Vital to Rural Healthcare

Allevant, developed by Mayo clinic and Select Medical, 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 (readmission from post-acute setting)
- High level of post-acute patients discharged back to independent settings (home or assisted living)
- 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 – Increase census and revenue
- Long term reduction in costs associated with increased staff wellness
- Lower Medicare costs per patient day.

“Critical Access Hospitals can provide post-acute recovery via Transitional Care/Swing Bed better than virtually anyone else. Their competitive advantage is their culture of safety,” says Dr. Mark Lindsay, pulmonologist, Assistant Professor at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, and Medical Director of Allevant Solution, LLC. “CAHs outperform larger hospitals in the culture of safety surveys. Handoffs and transitions are two areas with consistently low scores across healthcare, and post-acute care is all about handoffs and transitions.”

Jordan Tenenbaum, President of Allevant and NRHA Fellow, states he is, “concerned for the future viability of rural hospitals, more than 30% of which are at risk of closure. It is a tremendous benefit for larger hospitals to partner with smaller rural CAH Transitional Care programs to ensure rural patients admitted to larger hospitals for specialty care can be cared for closer to home.”

Allevant has participated in federally and state-funded grants throughout the country and will continue to identify opportunities to support rural providers with Transitional Care and MENDS® health and wellness programs.

If you have an interest in participating in the first cohort of Project Swing Bed on the MENDS®, contact Jordan Tenenbaum to learn more today.