Implementing EACHs (essential access community hospitals) and RPCHs (rural primary care hospitals) on a statewide basis: a preliminary analysis

Authors

Peter E. Hilsenrath, University of IowaFollow
Rong-Nan Chien, Memorial Hospital of South Bend
James E. Rohrer, Texas Tech University

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Journal of Rural Health

ISSN

0890-765X

Volume

7

Issue

5

First Page

618

Last Page

629

Publication Date

Fall 1991

Abstract

Declining hospital utilization has created excess hospital capacity in rural areas, has depressed occupancy rates, and threatens the financial viability of rural hospitals. Access to hospital care could be reduced and rural economies damaged if rural hospitals close. The federal Essential Access Community Hospital (EACH) demonstration program is an attempt to address these issues by establishing regional hospital networks. A preliminary analysis of the impact of state-wide implementation of the EACH program in Iowa suggests that about 60% of rural hospital beds and about 28% of all hospital beds would be eliminated. The EACH program could well prove difficult to implement because of the need to select hospitals for reduced services.

Comments

PMID: 10117242

Recommended Citation

Hilsenrath, P. E., Chien, R., & Rohrer, J. E. (1991). Implementing EACHs (essential access community hospitals) and RPCHs (rural primary care hospitals) on a statewide basis: a preliminary analysis. Journal of Rural Health, 7(5), 618–629.
https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/esob-facarticles/30