Top Three Flex Activities in 2009

1. Development of a statewide CAH Quality Network including 33 CAH members.
        In past six months the CAH Quality Network has hired a coordinator, developed network infrastructure, co-hosted TeamSTEPPS training (40 individuals trained from 12 CAHs and 3 PPS hospitals) and worked collaboratively with Montana Network on Conditions of Participation checklist
2. Awarded CAH HIT Grant with 3 CAHs having implemented electronic medical records
3. Flex awarded 18 subcontracts to CAHs and their partners to support a number of initiatives including:
   • Program Development
   • Community Engagement
   • Financial Studies
   • Quality Improvement
   • Health Information Technology
   • 5 CAHs to obtain state trauma designation.

Flex Program Success Story

The Flex Program has supported a pilot involving 14 CAHs and Clarity Group Inc. over a 6 month period (ends March 31, 2009). Clarity Group has a product called the Healthcare Safety Zone Portal with over 7000 users. This tool has yet to be used from a network perspective. The UND Center for Rural Health and Clarity group are working together to develop templates that all CAH participants use to collect event information. Currently the groups collect information on falls, infections, medication errors by severity, time of day, location, type (patient, resident, employee) and more.

First quarter information has been aggregated and CAHs are looking to benchmark and identify best practices within the group. Flex has paid for half of the subscription fee and the CAHs have paid for the other half; an evaluation is currently underway and findings will be presented at our annual Dakota Conference to all CAHs. It is anticipated that there will be continued interest by the pilot participants and there will be efforts to engage others through the ND CAH Quality Network.

In addition to tracking and reporting, the Safety Zone has developed a Network page that includes a library for quality related information (specific to CAHs), list of members, resources, events, and more.

Most Significant Achievement

Development of a statewide CAH Quality Network.

Flex Program Details

Location: University of North Dakota, School of Medicine and Health Sciences
Number of CAHs: 35
Web site: http://ruralhealth.und.edu/projects/flex/

Map of North Dakota Critical Access Hospitals & Referral Centers
Map of North Dakota Hospitals & Critical Access Hospitals
State Rural Health Plan
Rural Assistance Center State Resources