Non-Compete Continuation Grant Cycle

I. Support for Quality Improvement (QI)

Flex Programs are required to support efforts to improve and sustain the quality of care provided by critical access hospitals (CAHs) to ensure that rural citizens receive high-quality, appropriate care in their communities. Activities in this area include supporting CAHs with quality measurement, reporting, and benchmarking as well as supporting CAHs in building quality and patient safety improvement systems and capacity.  Efforts should focus on quality improvement programs that sustain efforts over time.

• Objectives and resources for core area I

II. Support for Operational and Financial Improvement

Flex Programs are required to support efforts to improve critical access hospital (CAH) financial and operational performance improvement. Activities in this area may include: assisting CAHs in identifying potential areas of needed financial and operational improvement; supporting CAHs in planning and implementing evidence-based strategies for improving financial performance; and supporting CAHs in planning and implementing strategies for improving operational performance.

• Objectives and resources for core area II

III. Support for Health System Development and Community Engagement

Flex Programs are required to support efforts to assist critical access hospitals (CAHs) in developing collaborative regional or local systems of care, addressing community needs, and integrating emergency medical services (EMS) in those regional and local systems of care.

• Objectives and resources for core area III