May 17, 2024
New Botnet Video – Cyber Safety is Patient Safety
The HHS 405(d) Knowledge on Demand page has added a new free educational video on Botnets.
This video helps users identify and be aware of the threat of botnet by understanding what it is and how it works.
Organizations can use this video and share with others that may or may not know the term botnet, or the threat that looms.
Click Here to access the free video
May 17, 2024
Safety of Outpatient Health Care
Despite considerable emphasis on delivering safe care, substantial patient harm occurs. Although most care occurs in outpatient settings, research into adverse events (AE) in this setting remains sparse in comparison to acute care.
Seven percent had at least one AE, most commonly adverse drug events, and 23% were potentially preventable. Most AE originated from care in the physician’s office.
The conclusion was made that outpatient harm was relatively common and often serious. Adverse drug events were most frequent. Rates were higher among older adults. Interventions to curtail outpatient harm are urgently needed.
For more information about this study, go to the National Library of Medicine.
May 17, 2024
NRHA Today – Newsletter
The National Rural Health Association has released the latest version of “NRHA Today”.
Click Here to Access Newsletter
May 16, 2024
Become a New Site for the National Health Service Corp – Apply by June 25
Eligible health care facilities can apply to become National Health Service Corps (NHSC)-approved sites. The application for new sites interested in becoming NHSC-approved is now open through June 25 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
NHSC approved sites provide outpatient, comprehensive primary health care services to people in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs).
Benefits to becoming an NHSC-approved site include assistance in recruiting, hiring and retaining quality providers through programs such as the NHSC Rural Community Loan Repayment Program.
Learn More about becoming an NHSC site.
Get help with your application:
May 13, 2024
HRSA’s National Hansen’s Disease Program
Since 1984, The Health Resource and Services Administration’s (HRSA’s) National Hansen’s Disease (Leprosy) Program (NHDP) has served as the epicenter of Hansen’s disease, including free consultations, trainings, and medications for leprosy treatment at no cost to the patient.
The NHDP Program’s Clinical Center is located in Baton Rouge, LA and also manages an ambulatory care network of 16 Federally supported outpatient clinics across 10 states and Puerto Rico where patients can receive the following medical care for Hansen’s disease-related condition, free of charge:
For more information:
Hansen’s Disease Resources:
April 25, 2024
Why are Rural Americans – Especially Women- Dying Younger?
Rural Americans aged 25 to 54 are dying of natural causes such as chronic diseases and cancer at wildly higher rates than their urban peers, according to a recent report.
The disparity was significantly worse for women, and for Native American women in particular.
The gap highlights how persistent difficulties accessing health care and a dispassionate response from national leaders can eat away at the fabric of rural communities.
The National Rural Health Association’s (NRHA’s) Government Affairs team has produced policy briefs on rural women’s health and American Indian and Alaska Native health.
Read Rural Women’s Health policy brief
Read American Indian and Alaska Native Health policy brief
April 25, 2024
Webinar – New Medicare Behavioral Health Providers: Incorporating MHCs and MFTs Into Your RHC – May 9, 1:00 p.m. ET
The National Association of Rural Health Clinics (NARHC) is hosting a free, Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP)-supported webinar with information on incorporating Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) and Mental Health Counselors (MHCs) into Rural Health Clinics (RHCs).
Medicare coverage of Marriage and Family Therapists and Mental Health Counselors in RHCs began January 1, 2024. This webinar will feature representatives from the National Board for Certified Counselors and the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, who will provide information to ensure RHCs are equipped to consider expanding behavioral health services. Additional time for Q&A will be provided. Advanced registration is required.
Cost: Free
When: Thursday, May 9, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. CT
Register Here
April 25, 2024
Rural Health Research Gateway – Research Recap: LGBTQ+ Health: Rural vs Urban Inequities
From 2019-2020, rural lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults were more likely to report poor/fair self-rated health than rural heterosexual adults.
This Recap summarizes several policy briefs from the University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center examining self-rated health, chronic conditions, mental health, and social and emotional support systems for LGBTQ+ populations.
Click Here to View Research Recap
April 25, 2024
Missouri Medicaid Tests New Transformation of Rural Community Health (ToRCH) Model
This new program aims to address social determinants of health and will have hospitals serve as community-based hubs, or regional leads, to direct strategy and coordinate the efforts of health care providers, community-based organizations (CBOs), and social service agencies within a designated rural community.
Medicaid funds will support hub activities:
Community partners may request funds to pay for:
Funds will also be available to reimburse CBO partners for approved health related social needs services identified in the ToRCH communities, such as:
The first cohort of six hospitals will begin on July 1 of this year.
Click Here to learn more about ToRCH
April 25, 2024
HRSA Funding: Delta Health Systems Implementation Program – Apply by June 24
This program, administered by the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP), supports hospitals in the Mississippi Delta region with projects that will improve their financial sustainability and allow for increased access to care in rural communities.
Approximately $2,000,000 across 5 awards will be aimed at financial and operational improvement, quality improvement, telehealth, and workforce development.
Interested applicants may attend a live webinar on Wednesday, May 1 at 2:00 pm Eastern.
Apply Here
