Rural Health Research Gateway

Technology

Publications

Alphabetical list. You can also view by publication date.

  • Chronic Disease Management Systems (Registries) in Rural Health Care
    Author(s): Anne Skinner, Roslyn Fraser-Maginn, Keith J. Mueller
    Research center: Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI) Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
    Topics: Chronic diseases and conditions, Quality, Technology
    Report Number: Rural Policy Brief Vol. 11, Number 1 (PB2006-1 )
    Date: 05 / 2006
    A Chronic Disease Management System (CDMS), or registry, is a tool that helps providers efficiently collect and analyze patient information to promote quality care for the rural population. The focus of this study was on the use of CDMSs in the management of diabetes, a disease prevalent in rural populations. Findings show that CDMSs are readily available to rural clinics and are being implemented and maintained by clinic staff with minimal expenditures for technology.
  • Directory of Rural Health Networks: Profiling Network Information Technology Use
    Author(s): Keith J. Mueller, Brandi Shay, Sue Nardie, J. Patrick Hart, Dianne Harrop, Donadea Rasmussen
    Research center: Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI) Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
    Topics: Networking and collaboration, Technology
    Date: 03 / 2005
    Profiles of selected rural health networks funded by the Office of Rural Health Policy. Includes information on each network's current use of information technology (IT) and future plans for IT.
  • Information Technology and Rural Health Networks: An Overview of Network Practices
    Author(s): Keith J. Mueller, Brandi Shay, J. Patrick Hart, Diane Harrop, Donadea Rasmussen
    Research center: Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI) Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
    Topics: Networking and collaboration, Technology
    Report Number: PB 2004-3
    Date: 05 / 2004
    Focuses on the use of information technology (IT) in rural health networks, based on detailed interviews with representatives for 15 rural health networks that received funding from the federal Rural Health Network Development Grant program. In general, IT was found to be most beneficial to the network when it was integrated into the initial plans for network development, scaled to the needs of the specific project, and expanded to new applications only as the network itself matured to take on new tasks.
  • Pharmacist Staffing and the Use of Technology in Small Rural Hospitals: Implications for Medication Safety (Brief)
    Research center: Upper Midwest Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Hospitals and clinics, Pharmacy and prescription drugs, Quality, Technology
    Report Number: Policy Brief No. 1
    Date: 01 / 2006
    To assess the capacity of rural hospitals to implement medication safety practices that reduce the likelihood of serious adverse drug events, a national telephone survey of a random sample of rural hospitals was conducted in March to May 2005. A total of 387 hospitals responded to the survey for a response rate of 94.6 percent. Pharmacists were asked about the hospital's pharmacy staffing, use of technology, implementation of protocols and medication safety practices, and medication safety priorities. The results of this study indicate that many small rural hospitals have limited hours of on site pharmacist coverage. The majority of hospitals surveyed are using pharmacy computers, but a significant proportion either do not have a pharmacy computer or are not using it for clinical purposes. Implementation of protocols related to medication use and key medication safety practices are areas where small rural hospitals could improve. A full report is also available.
  • Pharmacist Staffing and the Use of Technology in Small Rural Hospitals: Implications for Medication Safety (Full Report)
    Author(s): Michelle M. Casey, Ira Moscovice, Gestur Davidson
    Research center: Upper Midwest Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Hospitals and clinics, Pharmacy and prescription drugs, Quality, Technology
    Report Number: Working Paper No. 1
    Date: 12 / 2005
    To assess the capacity of rural hospitals to implement medication safety practices that reduce the likelihood of serious adverse drug events, a national telephone survey of a random sample of rural hospitals was conducted in March to May 2005. A total of 387 hospitals responded to the survey for a response rate of 94.6 percent. Pharmacists were asked about the hospital's pharmacy staffing, use of technology, implementation of protocols and medication safety practices, and medication safety priorities. The results of this study indicate that many small rural hospitals have limited hours of on site pharmacist coverage. The majority of hospitals surveyed are using pharmacy computers, but a significant proportion either do not have a pharmacy computer or are not using it for clinical purposes. Implementation of protocols related to medication use and key medication safety practices are areas where small rural hospitals could improve.
  • Pharmacist Staffing, Technology Use and Implementation of Medication Safety Practices in Rural Hospitals
    Author(s): Michelle Casey, Ira Moscovice, Gestur Davidson
    Research center: Upper Midwest Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Hospitals and clinics, Pharmacy and prescription drugs, Quality, Technology
    Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 22(4), 321-330
    Date: 2006
    Reports the results of a study that assessed the capacity of small rural hospitals to implement medication safety practices, with a focus on pharmacist staffing and the availability of technology.
  • Rural Hospitals' Strategies for Achieving Compliance With HIPAA Privacy Regulations: Case Studies Of Rural Hospitals
    Research center: Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis
    Topics: Hospitals and clinics, Technology
    Date: 08 / 2003
    Rural hospitals in this study recognized the importance of ensuring the confidentiality of patient health information, and have made substantial progress in achieving compliance with HIPAA privacy standards. Although these rural hospitals were using the flexibility afforded to them under HIPAA to develop common-sense approaches, each recognized that additional work will be required to effectively secure patient privacy, particularly as technology and the need for information advance. A policy brief is also available. Report available on request.
  • Rural Hospitals' Strategies for Achieving Compliance with HIPAA Privacy Requirements
    Research center: Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis
    Topics: Hospitals and clinics, Technology
    Report Number: Policy Analysis Brief W Series No. 3
    Date: 03 / 2004
    Rural hospitals in this study recognized the importance of ensuring the confidentiality of patient health information, and have made substantial progress in achieving compliance with HIPAA privacy standards. Although these rural hospitals were using the flexibility afforded to them under HIPAA to develop common-sense approaches, each recognized that additional work will be required to effectively secure patient privacy, particularly as technology and the need for information advance. A full report is also available.

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