Rural Spotlight

Healthcare Quality Trends: 45 Key Stats

March 17, 2025

Healthcare Quality Trends: 45 Key Stats

A March 11 report from the Peterson Center on healthcare and KFF tracks the performance of healthcare systems over the last few decades. The report lists 45 statistics you need to know about:

  • Treatment outcomes
  • Appropriate treatment
  • Patient Safety
  • Preventive Services
  • Health System capacity and workforce shortage

Click Here to Read Report

Americans’ Self-reported Mental, Physical Health at 24-year low: Gallup

March 17, 2025

Americans’ Self-reported Mental, Physical Health at 24-year low: Gallup

Americans’ self-reported physical and mental health ratings have reached their lowest levels in more than two decades, according to a March 13 Gallup report.

The survey, conducted in partnership with West Health, is based on responses from 1,001 U.S. adults collected from November 6 – 20, 2024.

Three Takeaways:

  • Americans’ assessments of their health have trended downward since about 2013, with a sharp decline seen during the pandemic.
  • In the latest survey, 75% of adults described their mental health as “good” or excellent,” a decline from 89% in 2012. Meanwhile, 76% rated their physical health positively, down from a peak of 82% in 2003.
  • Gallup noted that fewer Americans are ranking their health as “excellent,” which represents the main driver of these decreases. Just 24% of Americans rated their physical health as “excellent,” alongside 31% for their mental health. In 2001, 29% of Americans reported “excellent” physician health and 43$ reported “excellent” mental health.

The COVID-19 pandemic appears to have been a turning point in Americans’ perceptions of their mental and physical health, compounding declines already underway,” Gallup said.

Click Here to view full report

NRHA Webinar: A 180-Degree Turn in One Year: How a CAH went from the Brink of Closure to Expanding Services

March 17, 2025

NRHA Webinar: A 180-Degree Turn in One Year: How a CAH went from the Brink of Closure to Expanding Services

In one year, Monroe County Hospital went from financial instability to expanding services and strengthening its role in the community. This transformation wasn’t the result of new funding or external support – it came from a strategic leadership shift and operational changes that stabilized finances, improved efficiency, and positioned the hospital for long-term success.

In this session, Kerry Trapnell will share the key actions that made this turnaround possible, drawing from his 25 years of experience guiding rural hospitals through financial and operational improvements.

In this session, attendees will learn:

  • How Monroe County Hospital pinpointed critical risks and addressed them,
  • Key operational and financial changes that led to measurable improvements,
  • Challenges the leadership team navigated – and what made the difference, and
  • Strategies rural hospitals can apply to strengthen financial sustainability.

Cost: Free

When: Tuesday, March 25, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. CT

Click Here to Register

NRHA Webinar: Improving Outcomes for Behavioral Health and Substance Use Disorder Patients in Rural EDs, March 20

March 17, 2025

NRHA Webinar: Improving Outcomes for Behavioral Health and Substance Use Disorder Patients in Rural EDs, March 20

Rural emergency departments need practical, proven strategies to improve care for behavioral health and substance use disorder patients. This educational presentation delivers actionable solutions you can apply immediately. Carla Wilber, a rural healthcare leader with extensive experience in emergency care, quality im0provement, and care transitions, and Lindsay Hunt, a healthcare transformation expert who has designed national programs to improve behavioral health care in rural EDs, will share targeted approaches to strengthen patient care and streamline ED processes.

In this webinar you will learn:

  • Best practices to strengthen behavioral health care in rural EDs,
  • 1-2 immediate actions your hospital or health system can implement, and
  • How a new three-month virtual program can support your team in optimizing care.

This session is built for hospital and health system leaders ready to take the next step in improving emergency behavioral health care.

Cost: Free

When: Thursday, March 20, 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. CT

Click Here to Register

Webinar Series: Building Rural Health Resilience through cybersecurity and AI: The Cyberlandscape, Starts March 19

March 14, 2025

Webinar Series: Building Rural Health Resilience through cybersecurity and AI: The Cyberlandscape, Starts March 19

Microsoft is hosting a webinar series on building rural health resilience through cybersecurity and AI starting at noon CDT, March 19. This webinar series was designed to empower rural healthcare organizations with the knowledge and tools needed to enhance cybersecurity and AI capabilities. Hosted by industry experts, each session will provide valuable insights into how technology can be leveraged to protect and innovate within rural health settings.

Webinar Series Schedule:

  • Rural health resilience through cybersecurity and AI: the cyberlandscape

Gain practical insights and strategies to manage user identities, secure access, and protect your hospital’s data through identity and access management (IAM)using Microsoft Entra ID. Learn how to implement multifactor authentication, conditional access policies, and continuous monitoring to ensure that only authorized personnel have access to critical systems and information.

Cost: Free

When: Wednesday, March 19, 12:00 p.m. – 12:40 p.m. CT

Click Here to Register

  • Understanding the security features of Microsoft Business Premium and Microsoft 365 ES and Microsoft 365 E5

Join this webinar to discover how Microsoft Business Premium, Microsoft 365 E3, and Microsoft 365 E5 can support your hospital’s cybersecurity through advanced security features, built-in compliance tools, and seamless integration capabilities to safeguard your organization against cyberattacks.

Cost: Free

When: Wednesday, April 9, 12:00 p.m. – 12:40 p.m.

Click Here to Register

  • Best practices in identity and access management using Microsoft Entra ID

Gain practical insights and strategies to manage user identities secure access, and protect your organization’s data through Identity and Access Management (IAM) using Microsoft Entra ID.

Cost: Free

When: Wednesday, May 14, 12:00 p.m. – 12:40 p.m. CT

Click Here to Register

  • Next level innovation for rural health: A CIO’s real-world example

Tune in to hear a rural chief information officer (CIO) share firsthand experiences in driving innovation with limited resources to help their organization achieve next-level innovation and improve patient outcomes.

Cost: Free

When: Wednesday, June 11, 12:00 p.m. – 12:40 p.m. CT

Click Here to Register

  • Lessons from a CAH cyberattack: Best practices for cybersecurity

Gain insights from a CIO’s real-life experience responding to a cyberattack at a Critical Access Hospital (CAH). This session will bring valuable lessons learned, best practices in cybersecurity incident response, and practical steps to improve your organization’s cyber resiliency.

Cost: Free

When: Wednesday, July 9, 12:00 p.m. – 12:40 p.m. CT

Click Here to Register

  • Best practices in endpoint management using Microsoft Intune

Join this webinar to learn how to plan, deploy, and operationalize device management, enforce security policies, and ensure compliance at your hospital with Endpoint Management using Microsoft Intune. By the end of this session, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge and tools needed to create a robust and secure device management strategy tailored to the unique needs of your hospital.

Cost: Free

When: Wednesday, August 13, 12:00 p.m. – 12:40 p.m. CT

Click Here to Register

  • Supporting rural health through AI innovation

Boost your hospital’s ability to adopt and use AI innovation to improve care delivery and operations. Hear from a Microsoft expert about the free AI training designed to equip both frontline and IT workers with the skills needed to fully harness the power of AI in their roles.

Cost: Free

When: Wednesday, September 10, 12:00 p.m. – 12:40 p.m.

Click Here to Register

  • Security transformation is cloud transformation

Learn about the benefits of moving to cloud-based security solutions and how to implement a successful cloud transformation strategy to provide robust protection against cyberthreats.

Cost: Free

When: Wednesday, October 8, 12:00 – 12:40 p.m. CT

Click Here to Register

Informational Webinar: New Accreditation for Hospitals in Rural Counties, March 24

March 14, 2025

Informational Webinar: New Accreditation for Hospitals in Rural Counties, March 24

The Commission on Cancer (CoC) has developed a NEW accreditation for hospitals located in rural counties. This new opportunity offers the proven benefits of CoC accreditation in a package tailored for the unique aspects of taking care of cancer patients in a rural setting.

In this 30-minute webinar, attendees will learn:

  • What CoC accreditation is and how it impacts care for patients with cancer,
  • Why CoC accreditation is important for hospitals in rural areas, and
  • About a new set of CoC accreditation requirements designed for hospitals in rural counties.

To learn more, please join this information webinar.

Cost: Free

When: Monday, March 24, 11:00 a.m.

Click Here to Register

Questions? Please email CoC@facs.org

Article: CMS Pitches Shortening ACA Enrollment Period: 5 Things to Know

March 14, 2025

Article: CMS Pitches Shortening ACA Enrollment Period: 5 Things to Know

CMS is proposing a set of new regulations for ACA marketplaces, including shortening the annual enrollment window and rescinding eligibility for DACA recipients. In a March 10 news release, the agency said the changes are designed to address “the troubling amount of improper enrollments” in the marketplace. In the first quarter of 2024, CMS said it received 40,000 complaints of customers being enrolled in ACA plans, or switched into a new plan, without their knowledge.

Five things to know about the proposed rules:

  • The agency pitched shortening the annual enrollment period by one month.
    • Under the proposed rule, open enrollment would run from Nov. 1 to Dec. 15.
    • Currently, the open enrollment period begins Nov. 1 and ends Jan. 15.
    • The change would align more closely with enrollment dates for employer-sponsored coverage, and
    • “reduce the risk of adverse selection from consumers who otherwise may wait to enroll until they need healthcare services,” according to the agency.
  • The proposed rules would also eliminate a special enrollment period that allows individuals with incomes under 150% of the federal poverty limit to enroll in coverage in any month.
    • The policy “allows people to wait to enroll until they become sick,” the agency said.
  • The regulation would reverse a proposal by the Biden administration that would have allowed Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival recipients to enroll in ACA plans.
    • The DACA program allows individuals brought to the U.S. as children without legal status to remain in the country.
    • In December 2024, a federal judge blocked DACA recipients from enrolling in ACA plans.
  • Under the new regulations, consumers would be required to re-verify their eligibility for fully subsidized plans each year.
    • If enrollees do not verify their eligibility, they will pay a $5 monthly premium until they confirm or update their eligibility.
    • The change would cut back on fraud by ensuring individuals are aware of the coverage they are enrolled in, CMS said.
  • The rule would bar insurers from covering “sex trait modification services,” or gender-affirming care, as essential health benefits.
    • The proposal would not prohibit health plans from voluntarily covering these services, the agency said.

Click Here to Read Article

Whitepaper: Breaking Language Barriers: One Hospital’s Path to Patient Trust

March 14, 2025

Whitepaper: Breaking Language Barriers: One Hospital’s Path to Patient Trust

Language barriers between patients and staff pose a significant threat to care quality and patient satisfaction, especially for hospitals serving diverse communities. These barriers can lead to care delays, miscommunication and frustration, affecting both patient trust and staff efficiency.

This case study explores how Onvida Health – formerly Yuma (Ariz.) Regional Medical Center – redesigned its language services program to refine daily operations, boost patient satisfaction and improve care outcomes. Learn how the system implemented practical solutions and operational changes to:

  • Build patient trust
  • Foster a culturally and linguistically inclusive environment
  • Significantly improve language access and encounter times
  • Achieve a 4.9/5 interpreter satisfaction rating

Click Here to Read Whitepaper

Article: GLP-1s Reshape Key Service Lines: What to Know

March 14, 2025

Article: GLP-1s Reshape Key Service Lines: What to Know

Blockbuster GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy are transforming patient care, altering surgery volumes and redefining the healthcare industry’s financial landscape.

The obesity drug market could reach $200 billion by 2031, according to industry projections. Perhaps unsurprisingly, some health systems and industry disruptors are expanding weight loss programs in response to the growing demand for GLP-1s.

Beyond weight loss programs, GLP-1 medications are influencing multiple hospital and ambulatory surgery center service lines. In healthcare C-suits, this trend in influencing long-term operational and financial decisions, especially as GLP-1 medicines affect elective surgery volumes.

Elective surgeries are a substantial revenue source for hospitals and ASCs, and several procedures could rapidly decline in volume over the next few years.

Click Here to Read Entire Article

Upcoming Webinar – Privileging, simplified: A modern approach for healthcare teams, March 20

March 14, 2025

Upcoming Webinar – Privileging, simplified: A modern approach for healthcare teams, March 20

Traditional privileging processes are slow, manual and overly complex. These inefficiencies delay provider onboarding, increase compliance risks and burden administrative teams.

This webinar offers actionable strategies to streamline privileging workflows through automation and technology. Learn how to reduce administrative overhead by up to 30% and accelerate provider onboarding by 40%.

Key Learnings:

  • Speed up privileging with automated workflows that replace manual processes – without compromising quality.
  • Ensure seamless compliance to meet The Joint Commission’s standards and ensure patient safety.
  • Standardize and scale operations using centralized data management for greater efficiency and control across locations.

Cost: Free

When: Thursday, March 20, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. CT

Click Here to Register