The Story of Rural: Community and You!

Here we are, just a little more than a week out from the ICAHN Annual Conference, and as I’ve been working on the little details I’ve been thinking about the bigger picture and our theme, The Story of Rural: Community and You.”  Our blog guest writers have shared their personal rural health stories over the past two weeks, with both stories capturing an underlying truth that rural is not “little urban,” but a unique and special place. Dave Dellasega, president and CEO of the Great Plains Health Alliance summed it up well when he said, “Rural America is an integral part of this country’s fabric – it’s where our food is grown, our livestock is raised, and our coal is mined. Geography shouldn’t be a factor in the quality of a person’s health care — when rural hospitals can stay open, these communities not only survive, they and the rest of the country benefit.”

All of you work hard in your professional setting to make sure the story of rural stays strong. Sometimes it can feel thankless and on more than one occasion I’ve heard stories of frustration and burnout. The thing is, whatever the story, it is an opportunity to learn from someone else. It’s why events like the Annual Conference are important. They give us a chance to hear others successes, words of inspiration, and new ways of doing things so that we leave energized to continue with the important work we do.

Projects Tell A Story

Because learning from one another is so important, I wanted to share with you some projects other Illinois CAHs are doing.  If these projects are of interest to you reach out to them. I’m sure they would be happy to share their story!

Memorial Hospital Carthage is addressing the transfer of critical care patients. There were issues when transport was not available or when the patient’s condition did not allow for transfer 3-4 hours away to the nearest ICU bed. As a result, Memorial Hospital team members put together a Critical Care Team. The goal of the Critical Care Team is to utilize nurses with experience in critical care and form a team to provide ICU care to our patients. The Critical Care Team has been able to sustain and save lives by creating an ICU environment. The Critical Care Team completed hours of on- demand education to ensure patient safety and has received nothing but positive feedback from this approach.

Horizon Health is implementing daily Quality Flash Huddles using Microsoft Teams. With these huddles, Horizon has seen improved communication and increased patient satisfaction. Daily discussion includes patient safety events and staffing needs which allows for real time responses. The group also discusses any Sepsis or Stroke activations for timely discussion and follow up.  

This project allows for the clinical staff to have a very quick daily touchpoint for any potential needs or issues. The Microsoft Teams meeting can be 5-15 minutes based on the needs of the day and the Teams option allows for connection to off-site locations.

Carlinville Area Hospital is implementing a Nursing Advancement Clinical Ladder.  The goal of the project is to formally incentivize and recognize professional development in nurses by focusing on the following objectives: nursing retention, nursing recruitment, improved clinical quality, enhanced educational opportunities, collaboration throughout the hospital and clinic system, and appreciation for service within the community.

The pressures on the nursing workforce over the past few years have heightened the need and importance for further developing professional nursing practice in rural health settings. Burnout and pressures to seek employment in alternative/non-beside settings had resulted in a significant increase in turnover at CAH+C which paralleled national trends.

The Nursing Advancement Clinical Ladder was established to enhance professional development, and to target and recognize bedside nursing staff across the continuum of care within the organization.

Be Part of the Story

There are many more stories like these that all of you are doing.  Don’t be shy sharing your successes! If you aren’t already, be part of an ICAHN listserv, join an ICAHN committee or participate in a conference or education event.  All of us working together is what it takes to keep the rural health story strong. That’s how I see it this week from where I sit.