Rural Spotlight

Register for the National Telehealth Conference – September 12

August 29, 2023

Register for the National Telehealth Conference – September 12

Navigating the latest in telehealth? Attend the National Telehealth Conference on September 12 to hear from public and private sector leaders about the latest telehealth best practices.

HRSA Administrator Carole Johnson and CMS Deputy Administrator Meena Seshamani, along with telehealth experts, are scheduled to attend.

Conference Topics Include:

  • The adoption of telehealth and expansion of broadband connectivity to improve health equity
  • Using tele-behavioral health as a successful model for integrating telehealth into the standard of care
  • Telehealth’s role in supporting the health care workforce and expanding services for patients
  • Implications of health policy to inform telehealth’s future in an evolving health care environment

When: September 12, 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Register Today

 

NRHA Webinar – The Untapped Fiscal Potential of Chronic Wound Care

August 28, 2023

NRHA Webinar – The Untapped Fiscal Potential of Chronic Wound Care

In this webinar, Sarah Hull FNP, WCC, DWC will present valuable insights and practical strategies aimed at optimizing wound care management in Critical Access hospitals.

Participants will explore innovative approaches to chronic wound care, emphasizing the advantages of localized and cost-effective treatments. Sarah Hull will shed light on the benefits of incorporating advanced wound care therapies to improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.

The webinar will cover essential topics, including the significance of local wound care services, the effectiveness of advanced wound care therapies, and actionable steps for transforming your wound care center into a financial success. Attendees can expect to gain practical tips and best practices from Sarah Hull to maximize the fiscal potential of their wound care services.

Join us for this informative session to enhance your wound care practices and contribute to better healthcare outcomes while optimizing financial sustainability.

When: Thursday, October 12, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. CST

Register Now

NRHA Webinar – Swing Bed Culture and Attention to Wellness Vital to Rural Healthcare, A Transitional Care Model

August 28, 2023

NRHA Webinar – Swing Bed Culture and Attention to Wellness Vital to Rural Healthcare, A Transitional Care Model

Allevant, a joint venture between Mayo Clinic and Select Medical, helps Critical Access Hospitals by developing post-acute Transitional Care programs using available Swing Beds. Focused on helping patients transition to their highest level of independence, Transitional Care is a program that involves the patient and family, makes available the full resources of the Critical Access Hospital and focuses on measured outcomes and evidence-based processes to ensure patients get the best care possible.

Allevant has supported approximately 100 Critical Access Hospitals across 22 states including both independent and part of health systems. Our clients have cared for over 12,000 patients representing more than 158,000 swing bed days.

With a strong focus on quality, outcomes, and growth, our clients saw an average growth in swing bed days of 55% by the second year. 64% of patients were categorized as complex medical or complex surgical which is a growing patient population, and only 7% of Transitional Care patients were discharged directly back to acute care during a program stay of less than 30 days. 76% of patients were discharged from Transitional Care back to independence. The average patient rating was 4.83 out of 5 when asked if patients would “recommend the program to others”.

When: Wednesday, September 20, 1:00 – 2:00 pm CST

Register Now

NRHA Webinar – Tackling Bad Debt: A 20% Reduction Guide for Rural Hospitals

August 28, 2023

NRHA Webinar – Tackling Bad Debt: A 20% Reduction Guide for Rural Hospitals

Join the National Rural Health Association (NRHA) for a webinar that delves into actionable strategies specific to rural healthcare facilities, aimed at achieving a 20% reduction in Bad Debt. As we navigate an era where convenience and immediate information are paramount, understanding the nuances of the patient payment experience becomes crucial.

This session will cover:

  • How to refine patient communication for better engagement
  • Key elements of clear and informative billing statements
  • Enhancing digital payment services to meet the evolving demands of patients, ensuring more timely payments
  • Strategies to improve collection success at the point of service

Leading the discussion is Richard Rogers, who brings over 25 years in healthcare revenue cycle management and currently serves as a Board Member of both the Greater Illinois HFMA and Illinois AAHAM chapters and Darren Cook, Vice President of Recovery Solutions at Magnet Solutions with 23 years in the healthcare receivables sector. Both bring their extensive expertise and commitment to enhancing rural healthcare practices.

When: Tuesday, September 19, 1:00 – 2:00 pm CST

Register Now

NRHA Webinar – Bridging the Gap: Leveraging Telehealth to Drive Value-Based Care in Rural Hospital Settings

August 28, 2023

NRHA Webinar – Bridging the Gap: Leveraging Telehealth to Drive Value-Based Care in Rural Hospital Settings

NRHA Webinar – Bridging the Gap: Leveraging Telehealth to Drive Value-Based Care in Rural Hospital Settings

Join this insightful webinar designed exclusively for CEOs and C-Level administrators of rural hospitals as we delve into the crucial topic of value-based care and evolving applications of inpatient telehealth to complement patient access and clinical workforce strategies. Stroudwater, a leading healthcare consulting firm, and Equum Medical, a pioneer in innovative telehealth-enabled clinical workforce solutions, have joined forces to deliver a comprehensive webinar that explores the significance of value-based care in transforming rural healthcare delivery.

When: Thursday, September 14, 2:00 – 3:00 pm CST

Register Now

NRHA Webinar – Care Coordination: Surrounding Patients with Care through PCMH

August 28, 2023

NRHA Webinar – Care Coordination: Surrounding Patients with Care through PCMH

Join Healthcare Experts Kate Hill, RN, and Kristen Ogden, RN, from The Compliance Team, in a practical exploration of effective Care Coordination within the Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) model. Drawing from extensive experience, these professionals offer actionable insights honed through years of service, improving patient outcomes and practice efficiency. With a focus on rural clinics and communities, their guidance takes a hands-on approach. In this webinar, you will understand the critical role of Care Coordination in the PCMH model and its impact on patient care and results. Identify practical avenues to strengthen care coordination within rural clinics and communities, promoting collaboration and comprehensive healthcare. Learn effective strategies to integrate care coordination into practice, even in underserved areas.

When: Wednesday, September 13, 1:00 – 2:00 pm CST

Register Now

NRHA Webinar – Empowering Rural Healthcare: Transforming Quality and Revenue with PHM Technology

August 28, 2023

NRHA Webinar – Empowering Rural Healthcare: Transforming Quality and Revenue with PHM Technology

Join this exclusive webinar tailored to rural healthcare providers and discover how Franciscan Healthcare in West Point, Nebraska, achieved a remarkable transformation in its quality program and revenue with i2i Population Health’s cutting-edge PHM platform.

Get valuable insights from industry experts Anne Timmerman, Director of Quality at Franciscan Healthcare, and Justin Neece, CEO of i2i Population Health. Anne brings extensive experience in healthcare, specializing in infection control, patient safety, and active involvement in healthcare boards. Justin’s leadership spans over 15 years, propelling i2i Population Health to become a top performer in the market, with recognition through awards like Best in KLAS and the Acenda Institute of Health 2023 Momentum Award for Top Sector Innovator.

Explore how seamless EHR integration, dynamic registries, and quality reports can drive proactive care coordination, gap closures, and improved patient outcomes. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about the potential of PHM technology in rural healthcare.

When: Tuesday, August 29, 1:00 – 2:00 pm CST

Register Now

HRSA Needs Rural Reviewers for Grant Applications

August 25, 2023

HRSA Needs Rural Reviewers for Grant Applications

The Health Resources and Services Administration needs rural reviewers for grant applications. If you have expertise in certain subjects, you may be able to evaluate grant applications.

Grant reviewers are chosen based on their knowledge, education, and experience. They are also selected based on specific criteria in the HRSA Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).

You can become a reviewer if you work or have experience in health care. If interested, register via the Reviewer Recruitment Module (RRM).

HRSA is looking for people with expertise in one of the following areas:

  • Behavioral health
  • Health workforce training
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Maternal and child health
  • Primary care delivery
  • Rural health
  • Working with or a member of underserved communities

Additional experience:

  • Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA)
  • Lived experience
  • Health equity
  • Social determinants of health

Note: HRSA is interested in reviewers who have expertise in social, cultural, or health care issues of people in rural areas, migrants, or Native Americans

What to Expect as a Reviewer:

  • Review eligible applications against published evaluation criteria
  • Input your scores and comments into an online portal, the Application Review Module (ARM)
  • Discuss your scores and evaluation with other reviewers on your panel

Compensation:

Non-federal participants are compensated

Questions:

Email RRMTechAssistance@hrsa.gov for assistance

Learn More

Report Outlines Quality Improvement Strategies for CAHs

August 25, 2023

Report Outlines Quality Improvement Strategies for CAHs

A new report offers practical, rural-relevant strategies that critical access hospital (CAH) leaders and staff can adopt to more fully incorporate quality improvement efforts into their organization’s culture and develop a shared sense of responsibility for quality patient care.  Based on discussions among rural health quality leaders from across the country who attended the Critical Access Hospital Infrastructure Summit earlier this year, the report is the work of the National Rural Health Resource Center, in partnership with the Flex Monitoring Team and Stratis Health.

Read Report

Upcoming Webinar – UVM Center on Rural Addiction: Smoking, Cessation Treatment Delivery at Your Door – Wednesday, August 30 at 11:00 a.m. CT

August 25, 2023

Upcoming Webinar – UVM Center on Rural Addiction: Smoking, Cessation Treatment Delivery at Your Door – Wednesday, August 30 at 11:00 a.m. CT

Join the University of Vermont, Center of Rural Addiction for: Reaching People Where They’re At: Smoking Cessation Treatment Delivery at Your Door.

This presentation will discuss novel ways to deliver evidence-based treatment for smoking cessation within and across rural areas. It will focus on 4 separate clinical trials of medication sampling, each demonstrating a simple yet novel treatment approach to reach a broad spectrum of smokers, including those who may not yet want to quit.  The Center on Rural Addiction at the University of Vermont (UVM) is one of three FORHP-supported Rural Centers of Excellence on Substance Use Disorders.

Learning objectives:

  • Describe the rationale and benefits of medication sampling for smoking cessation
  • Outline methods for providing medication sampling to patients in various settings
  • Discuss the limits of medication sampling, balancing reach and effectiveness
  • Discuss the significance of medication sampling as a tobacco treatment intervention for members of rural populations

Participants can expect 45 minutes of presentation followed by 15 minutes for questions and conversation.

Live captions are available during this presentation.

A recording of the session and slides will be shared following.

CME/CE Credits are available for this live webinar.​