Hospital-Community Partnerships Improve Rural Health Care and Health Outcomes

Compendium Case Studies Showcase Best Practices for Collaboration

LINCOLN, Neb.--()--Bryan Health, a Nebraska-governed nonprofit health system, recently released the first six case studies of its 2017 Compendium of Best Practices in Rural Health Hospital-Community Partnerships. The studies depict innovative partnerships between rural hospitals and community organizations that extend services beyond traditional care for improved quality, access and costs.

Sharing these rural health partnership success stories promotes knowledge and opportunities for rural communities across the Midwest and U.S. to identify potential strategies to improve health in their communities.

“Hospital-community partnerships underscore a deep commitment to advancing the health of Nebraskans through collaboration with communities,” said Carol Friesen, vice president of health system services at Bryan Health. “In addition to the traditional role of treating illness and injury, these hospitals have combined health and life services to foster healthy lives to take root in their local communities.”

Bryan Health will release the complete compendium in December 2017. With six case studies available now at bryanhealth.org/compendium, readers can explore key steps, results and lessons learned from hospital-community partnerships under way in Nebraska. It also serves as a way to identify collaborative opportunities for their communities. Compendium topics include:

  • Integrated rehabilitation and fitness services (Columbus, Neb.)
  • Greater access to affordable medications (Pender, Neb.)
  • Proactive management of student behavioral health issues (Geneva, Neb.)
  • Reduced hospital readmissions, ambulance transports and ER visits through Community Paramedicine (McCook, Neb.)
  • Improved engagement in fitness and educational health activities (Central City, Neb.)
  • Helping young adults with disabilities prepare for employment (York, Neb.)

“Hospital-community partnerships are defined around shared purposes and community needs, creating a greater impact by aligning resources, skills and expertise,” Friesen explained.

About Bryan Health

Bryan Health is a Nebraska-governed, nonprofit health system that cares for patients, educates tomorrow’s health care providers and motivates communities with fitness and health programs. With an award-winning network of doctors, hospitals and medical providers, Bryan Health offers effective care, works with industry leaders to introduce leading-edge, proven treatments, and serves rural communities in four states through outreach clinics, mobile services and telehealth care. The health system includes Bryan Medical Center, Bryan Heart, Bryan Foundation, Bryan Physician Network, Bryan Enterprises, Bryan College of Health Sciences, Bryan Health Connect, Crete Area Medical Center and Merrick Medical Center. Bryan Health is also the sponsoring organization for the Heartland Health Alliance, Bryan CAH Network, and has management agreements with Clarinda Regional Health Center and Saunders Medical Center.

Contacts

for Bryan Health
Brad Colee, 402-481-8784

Release Summary

Bryan Health shows how innovative hospital-community partnerships improve health care in rural communities.

Social Media Profiles

Contacts

for Bryan Health
Brad Colee, 402-481-8784