Rural Spotlight

NRHA Awards Spotlight

January 13, 2023

Nominations are now open for NRHA’s 2023 Rural Health Awards. Each year NRHA honors outstanding individuals and organizations in the field of rural health who have dedicated their time and talents to improving the health and well-being of others. Act by Feb. 20 to submit NRHA Rural Health Award nominations

Previous Rural Health Award recipients have stretched the boundaries of possibility by forging innovative programs and services, making rural life healthier and more compassionate.

Nominate your favorite rural health individual, organization, program, or student for these prestigious awards soon for consideration.

Winners will be honored during a special ceremony during NRHA’s Annual Rural Health Conference in San Diego next spring.

For more information click here

NRHA in The News – Maternal, Infant Health in Rural Counties Without OBs

January 13, 2023

NRHA in The News – Maternal, Infant Health in Rural Counties Without OBs

New research by NRHA members at the University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center offers a comparison of evidence-based supports for maternal and infant health in 133 rural U.S. counties with and without hospital-based OB care. Additionally, Titus Regional Medical Center, an NRHA member in rural Texas, has been recognized as one of the best hospitals in the country for maternity care, while women in Deep East Texas drive more than an hour to give birth after the last obstetrics unit in the area closed in 2019. Act by 11:59 p.m. CST today to save hundreds on your chance to advocate in person for the maternity care needs of your community Feb. 7-9 at NRHA’s 34th Rural Health Policy Institute.

NRHA in The News – Children’s hospitals struggle with respiratory illness surge

January 13, 2023

NRHA in The News – Children’s hospitals struggle with respiratory illness surge

At children’s hospitals across the country, facilities are struggling to cope with limited staff and a surge of respiratory illnesses. Facing shortages of critical care beds, medication, and frontline staff amid the onslaught of RSV, COVID-19, and the flu, hospitals serving Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska are collaborating to get children with acute conditions the treatment they need. Additionally, updated antibiotic stewardship requirements come at a vital time, as data show the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in increased antibiotic use and a backslide in stewardship efforts because of the excess strain the outbreak imposed on hospital resources.

NRHA in The News – 2022 was Rough for Hospitals – 2023 Won’t be Much Better

January 13, 2023

NRHA in The News – 2022 was Rough for Hospitals – 2023 Won’t be Much Better

Financial analysts have said that 2022 may have been the worst year for hospital finances in decades. This year looks like it will be yet another year of financial underperformance, with rural providers in especially dire circumstances. Only a handful of rural hospitals closed in 2021 and 2022, but these low totals are due to government relief, according to NRHA COO Brock Slabach, who is expecting an increase in rural hospital closures this year. Recent reports indicate at least 631 hospitals are at risk of closure. Stakeholders cite inflation and shrinking margins as key challenges, which may lead more hospitals to merge with other systems to survive. Act by 11:59 p.m. CST today to save hundreds on your chance to advocate in person for the needs of rural hospitals Feb. 7-9 at NRHA’s 34th Rural Health Policy Institute.

New Policy Brief and Webinar: Impacts of CAH Independence and System Ownership during the COVID-19 Pandemic

January 13, 2023

New Policy Brief and Webinar: Impacts of CAH Independence and System Ownership during the COVID-19 Pandemic

A new policy brief is available on the Flex Monitoring Team (FMT) website: Impacts of Critical Access Hospital Independence and System Ownership during the COVID-19 Pandemic. In this brief, the FMT describes findings from a survey of CAH CEOs about their response to COVID-19, with a specific focus on advantages and disadvantages of system ownership or independence as described by survey participants.

Additionally, a new webinar recording is available on the FMT website: COVID-19 Response in System-Owned and Independent CAHs. In this webinar, the FMT presents findings from their survey of CAHs including advantages and disadvantages of system ownership or independent status, support received from State Flex Programs, staff recruiting challenges, partnerships, and patient transfers.

View Policy Brief

View Webinar

NRHA In The News – Year-end Legislation Includes Funds for Rural Projects

January 13, 2023

NRHA in The News – Year-end Legislation Includes Funds for Rural Projects

The recently passed end-of-year government funding bill includes several bipartisan efforts that benefit rural, including a two-year extension of telehealth and hospital-at-home waivers and the Summer Barrow Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Act introduced by Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.). “This legislation will increase access to needed services in our rural communities,” says NRHA CEO Alan Morgan. The $1.7 trillion omnibus spending bill also includes changes to federal health policy, including easing Medicare provider pay cuts, restarting Medicare redeterminations, and extending federal rural hospital programs. Act by 11:59 p.m. CST today to save hundreds on your chance to advocate for health policy and make our rural voices louder Feb. 7-9 at NRHA’s 34th Rural Health Policy Institute.

NARCH Academy- Certified Rural Health Clinic Professional (CRHCP) Course: Registration Opens February 14th

January 13, 2023

NARCH Academy- Certified Rural Health Clinic Professional Course: Registration Opens February 14th

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 CRHCP certification.

  • Enrollment*: Begins February 14, 2023. Download the PDF form HERE and return OR register online. As soon as your payment has been processed, you will receive an email notification with further instructions to access the course.
    *Course access given upon successful course registration/payment
  • Cost: NARHC Member $450/learner, Non-Member $600/learner
    Interested in a Scholarship? Check with your State Office of Rural Health to see if they participate!
  • Course Format: The course content is all online with an online proctored final exam. The final exam test window will be April 24-28, 2023.
  • Length of Course: Approximately 15-20 hours. Most people require 4-6 weeks to complete.
  • Content: The CRHCP Course consists of 4 modules: Admin & Finance, Billing & Coding, Regulatory Compliance & Quality, and Federal Updates with short pre-tests throughout the first 3 modules. To view the Learning Objectives, Click Here.
  • Pre-requisites: None.
  • Final Exam:  The final exam will be an online proctored exam only. It is 100 questions in multiple choice and multiple correct (select all that apply) format. The final exam will be available April 24-28, 2023.
  • What if I don’t Pass the Exam: 1 free re-take of the test will be allowed within the first 60 days (on-line).  If you do not pass the exam on the 2nd attempt you will have to re-take the course at full price at the next course offering.

NEXT SESSION INFORMATION: Fall 2023 CRHCP Session Registration
will open August 15th. 

Rural Citizens Access to Telehealth (RCAT) – Webinar

January 11, 2023

Rural Citizens Access to Telehealth (RCAT) – Webinar

The Rural Citizens Access to Telehealth (RCAT) project is a partnership between the Missouri Telehealth Network and the Department of Social Services, MO HealthNet Division. Together, they will provide funding, education, and training opportunities to introduce or enhance existing telehealth services for rural providers accepting Medicaid patients.

Click here to register to attend an informational webinar to learn more about the RCAT project.
Topics include:

  • History and Background of RCAT Project
  • Eligibility for RCAT
  • State Prioritized Telehealth Focus Areas (i.e. Maternal health)
  • Next Steps

**Funding opportunities are available for eligible partners.

Webinar Dates/Times:

  • Monday, January 9th @ 12:00 noon
  • Tuesday, January 10th @ 2:00 p.m.
  • Thursday, January 12th @ 9:00 a.m.
  • Friday, January 13th @ 12:00 noon

Click here to register.

Upcoming Free Webinar – Secrets of the 5 Star Physician with Dr. Michael Klein

January 10, 2023

Upcoming Webinar – Secrets of the 5 Star Physician with Dr. Michael Klein

Custom Learning Systems has a new webinar Secrets of the 5 Star Physician with Dr. Michael Klein, scheduled for January 27, 2023. Topics covered will include:

  • Educating providers to become actively engaged, improving the patient experience
  • Adopting the 5 Star HABITS model of creating trust through kindness and communication
  • Embracing new patient driven best practices5 Star Physician HABIT checklist
  • Ten patient focused policies

Targeted audience:

  • Physician Leaders
  • Physicians & Advanced Care Practioners
  • Practice leaders
  • CEOs, CNOs
  • Quality professionals
  • Patent experience champions

Click here for registration details

Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program (NHSC)-NOW OPEN

January 10, 2023

Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program (NHSC)

Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program is now open. As a reminder, this provides loan repayment to nurses in exchange for a minimum two-year full-time service commitment, at an eligible health care facility with a critical shortage of nurses or an eligible school of nursing.

In order to be eligible:

  • You must be a:
    • Licensed registered nurse;
    • Advanced practice registered nurse, such as a nurse practitioner; or
    • Nurse faculty member
  • You received your nursing education from an accredited school of nursing located in a U.S. state or territory.
  • You work full-time in either:

HRSA will host two technical assistance webinars:

                             Thursday, January 26                                          Wednesday, February 15

                             2:00-3:30 p.m. ET via Zoom                               2:00-3:30 p.m. ET via Zoom

 

For more questions please contact:

Call: 1-800-221-9393 | TTY: 1-877-897-9910
M – F | 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. (except federal holidays)

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