September/October 2006
Table of Contents

FEATURE ARTICLES

Pennsylvania Critical Access Hospital Consortium: A Strategy-Focused Performance Improvement Network Larry Baronner, Gregory Wolf

Abstract: The Pennsylvania Critical Access Hospital Consortium (PACAHC) brings together 12 small rural hospitals to support performance improvement initiatives, using Balanced Scorecards, innovative coordination of data collection and reporting systems, and statewide meetings to enable performance comparison and improvement.

Rural Communities Improving Quality Through Collaboration: The MaineHealth Story  Lisa M. Letourneau, Neil Korsen, Julie Osgood, Susan Swartz

Abstract: MaineHealth, an integrated health system serving small and rural communities, leveraged knowledge, resources, and data through collaboration to help providers improve care and outcomes for rural patients with asthma, heart failure, diabetes, and depression.

Metrics Help Rural Hospitals Achieve World-Class Performance Scott W. Goodspeed

Abstract: Use of the Balanced Scorecard and various metrics can enable rural hospitals to meet and exceed the unique needs of patients and physicians (their customers), to achieve healthy profit margins, and to be a workplace of choice of employees.

Interview with a Quality Leader: Ira Moscovice on Quality in Rural Healthcare Settings
Sue Boisvert

Ira Moscovice is director of the University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center and principal investigator of the Flex Monitoring Team, which has been given the assignment by the federal Office of Rural Health Policy to evaluate the implementation and impact of the Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility Program.

A Systems Approach to Improving Core Measures Outcomes in a Small Rural Facility  
Pavani Rangachari, Doreen M. Hutchinson 

Abstract: Fairview Hospital developed an integrated system that used a patient-level composite score methodology to achieve dramatic improvement in core measure outcomes.

Collaborative Networks: Helping Rural Laboratories Achieve Quality
Lewis A. Hassell, Martha W. Fogler, Sonia E. Russell

Abstract: Participation in a knowledge-sharing network, a coordinated effort at reference-range establishment and validation, and development of quality and safety algorithms can help rural hospital laboratories avoid many potentially costly problems.

Bringing Performance Improvement Full Circle
Martha Hardman, Peggy Engelkemier

Abstract: A critical access hospital revised its performance improvement plan to ensure compliance and establish a system for promoting and sustaining performance.

DEPARTMENTS

   56 Quality Viewpoint

JHQ Web Exclusives

Media Reviews
Quality NETwork
Quality Products and Resources