Rural Spotlight

Webinar on Understanding Rural Emergency Hospital Designation

April 7, 2023

Webinar on Understanding Rural Emergency Hospital Designation

States are grappling with how to maintain access to care in rural areas — including supporting rural hospitals who are facing potential closures.

Medicare’s Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) designation, originally established through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, became effective on January 1, 2023. The new designation is intended to help rural hospitals at risk of financial failure by offering an additional monthly facility payment and requiring certain changes in service delivery, including the elimination of inpatient care. To implement this new model, states need to take certain steps to provide hospitals with this option. Several states have already taken action to implement the REH designation.

The National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP) is hosting a webinar at noon CDT April 10 on the requirements of the new Medicare designation from CMX, as well as experiences in implementing the new designation in Kansas and Michigan with ample time for questions.

Join this webinar to hear about the requirements of the new Medicare designation from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) as well as experiences in implementing the new designation in Kansas and Michigan, with ample time for questions.

Speakers

  • Kianna Banks, Technical Advisor, CMS
  • Jennifer Findley, Vice President, Education and Special Projects, Kansas Hospital Association
  • John Barnas, Executive Director, Michigan Center for Rural Health
  • Matthew Jordan, Manager, Non-Long-Term Care State Licensing Section, Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs

Register Here

Free Webinar – Health Equity and Social Determinants of Health Learning Collaborative: A Population Health, Team-Based Care and Community-Based Approach

April 7, 2023

Free Webinar – Health Equity and Social Determinants of Health Learning Collaborative: A Population Health, Team-Based Care and Community-Based Approach

Missouri Primary Care Association (MPCA) along with Missouri Hospital Association, Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, National Kidney Foundation, and Harvesters are pleased to announce registration for the Five Part Health Equity and Social Determinants/Drivers of Health Learning Collaborative webinar series is now open.

This series will cover information on innovative data platforms currently being used in community health needs assessments and implementation strategies to identify where disparities exist, thus helping communities target interventions with the needed specificity. Attendees also will learn about the importance of leveraging technology to connect a multidisciplinary team to create an environment of networking and shared learning with the sole purpose of promoting the health and well-being of everyone.

The Learning Collaborative series will run May-September 2023, with sessions held monthly from May 3 through September 6 and is free to participate but registration is required.

Sessions will be held monthly from May 3 through September 6.

Who should participate:

  • Community health workers
  • Care coordinators
  • Nurse care managers
  • Discharge planners
  • Social workers
  • Quality improvement staff
  • Clinic managers
  • Operations staff
  • Providers/practitioners
  • Case managers
  • Administrators
  • Community health staff
  • Population health staff
  • Diversity, equity, and inclusion staff
  • Researchers
  • Data analysts
  • Utilization review
  • Accreditation staff

Learn more here

Click here to register

FDA Communication Materials for Consumers, Patients, and Healthcare Professionals to Help Increase Hand Sanitizer Safety

April 7, 2023

FDA Communication Materials for Consumers, Patients, and Healthcare Professionals to Help Increase Hand Sanitizer Safety

Due to recent hand sanitizer being recalled for the presence of Methanol, the FDA recommends using the Hand Sanitizer Safety and Use Communication Toolkit to educate consumers, patients, and health care professionals to increase hand sanitizer safety.

This toolkit includes:

  • One page infographic about hand sanitizer use and safety
  • Social Media Messages and links to graphics for:

Handwashing

Health care professional messages

General hand sanitizer messages

  • Clinician Drop-In Newsletter Article
  • Frequently Asked Questions for Health Care Professionals on Hand Sanitizer Safety
  • Hand Sanitizer Fact Sheets
  • Consumer Articles and Video

Click Here for Full Details

 

Notice of Funding Opportunity – HRSA-23-106 – Integrated Maternal Health Services

April 4, 2023

Notice of Funding Opportunity – HRSA-23-106 – Integrated Maternal Health Services

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is accepting applications for the fiscal year FY 2023 for HRSA-23-106 Integrated Maternal Health Services program. The purpose of this program is to foster the development and demonstration of integrated maternal health services models, such as the Maternity Medical Home, which is modeled after the patient-centered medical home. The primary goal of this initiative is to identify integrated health services models for future replication that will improve maternal health outcomes, advance health equity and address systemic barriers.

Applications are due by May 24, 2023.

Eligible Applicants:

  • Any domestic public or private entity, including an Indian tribe or tribal organization
  • Domestic faith-based and community-based organizations

Apply Now

CMS Releases Intermediate Policy on RHC Rurality Determinations

April 4, 2023

CMS Releases Intermediate Policy on RHC Rurality Determinations

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) officially released the interim process that will be used in determining RHC rural location determinations following the Census Bureau’s definition changes.

The interim process is as follows:

RHC applicants or relocating RHCs will meet the rural location requirement if the physical address is “non-urbanized” or in an “urban cluster” per the 2010 Census Bureau Data, OR if the physical address is not an urban area per the 2020 Census Bureau Data

Both 2010 and 2020 Census Bureau data can be found here.

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.

Free Webinar Series – Health Equity and Social Determinants of Health Learning Collaborative

April 4, 2023

Free Webinar Series – Health Equity and Social Determinants of Health Learning Collaborative

The Missouri Health Association (MHA) is hosting a five part webinar series – Health Equity and Social Determinants of Health Learning Collaborative: A Population Health, Team-Based Care and Community-Based Approach. This webinar series meets people where they are in their health equity and social determinants of health journey.

Topics include the impact of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion on health equity and SDOH. Attendees will hear statewide, regional and local standpoints related to how health equity and SDOH currently are addressed.

Additional highlighted topics will include standardized SDOH screening tools, innovative data platforms used in community health needs assessments and implementation strategies, and social referral platforms being used in Missouri.

Sessions will be held monthly from May 3 through September 6.

Intended Audience:

  • Community health workers
  • Care coordinators
  • Nurse care managers
  • Discharge planners
  • Social workers
  • Quality improvement staff
  • Clinic managers
  • Operations staff
  • Providers/practitioners
  • Case managers
  • Administrators
  • Community health staff
  • Population health staff
  • Diversity
  • Equity and inclusion staff
  • Researchers
  • Data analysts
  • Utilization review
  • Accreditation staff

Click Here for More Information

Register Now

NRHA’s Rural Hospital CMO Certification Program – Now Accepting Applications

April 4, 2023

NRHA’s Rural Hospital CMO Certification Program – Now Accepting Applications

NRHAs Rural Hospital CMO Certification Program is now accepting applications for its first Cohort! Physician leadership is paramount to the success and health of rural hospitals and communities. With the constantly changing healthcare landscape, there has never been a more crucial time for physician leaders to have the tools, knowledge, and network of peers and experts they need to thrive in their roles. These are things you don’t learn in medical school.

In this program physicians will:

Create a nationwide network of like-minded, rural hospital CMOs

Explore 18 relevant, rural healthcare specific modules with the country’s leading rural health subject matter experts

Solidify and grow your knowledge base and confidence

Click Here for more information and to Apply

Rural Health Clinical Congress Spring 2023 – A Free CME/CE Event for Clinicians

April 3, 2023

Rural Health Clinical Congress Spring 2023 – A Free CME/CE Event for Clinicians

The National Office of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH) is partnering with Rural Medical Education (RME) Collaborative for Rural Health Clinical Congress Spring 2023, a FREE virtual CME/CE conference. This multi-topic event will be broadcast live on Saturday, May 20, 2023, starting at 9:00 a.m. ET.

Why Attend:

  • Learn evidence-based recommendations on topics relevant to primary care
  • Gain practical insights to meet the needs of patients in rural and underserved areas
  • Participate in live polls and ask questions to experts in real-time
  • Earn free live CME/CE credit for each session you attend

Register Here

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