This study examined outcomes of care for rural Medicare patients who were discharged from hospitals and admitted to home healthcare for post-acute services. Outcomes included emergent care use and re-hospitalization during the home health admission and community discharge. Key predictors included type of rural community (large, small, isolated small rural), geographic region, types and amounts of home health services provided, home health agency workforce characteristics, and available community healthcare resources.

Publications

• Service Provision and Quality Outcomes in Home Health for Rural Medicare Beneficiaries at High Risk for Unplanned Care
  Journal Article
  WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
  Date: 06/2018
  This study examined service provision and quality outcomes among rural Medicare beneficiaries who used home health from 2011-2013 and were at high risk for unplanned care. More skilled nursing visits and visits by more types of providers were associated with higher hospital readmission and emergency department use and lower community discharge.