Offer of Assistance
HMS is particularly well positioned to assist rural providers in
the development and operation of rural health networks and services. We
have worked with 35 networks and know that the "magic bullet"
for networks is benefits to their members and communities. Talk to us about
your health care services, and the current conditions and challenges in
your communities. We can help you minimize rhetoric and focus your energies
on products and services.
Call Greg Bonk at (716) 688 - 8448 or toll free at (877) 889 - 6519
Rural Health Network Philosophy
Rural health networks emerged in the late 1980's. Some grew up from
the "grassroots" to pursue projects on behalf of their members;
other networks developed with support and promotion from states, the federal
government, or foundations, with a goal stabilizing and strengthening fragile
rural health care systems. The results have been mixed and the jury is still
out on the issue of how and why rural health networks succeed or fail. It
is certain, however, that misconceptions about the rural health network
experience prevent us from making sound decisions about where to go next
with rural health network development initiatives.
HMS Associates has had close involvement with a wide variety of hospital
and community based rural health networks over the past decade. We suggest
that people think about rural health networks as voluntary multi-organizational
platforms for change. They offer a vehicle for a new way of doing business
designed to help rural communities work together to solve specific problems
on the way to stronger, more stable health care services and systems. The
network approach to change is based upon voluntary collaboration among health
care organizations, rather than mandated participation by organizations,
on the one hand, or independent action by organizations, on the other. The
network approach works best when benefits warrant involvement and change
requires the complementary capacities of autonomous partners.
Rural Health Network Projects:
Relevant Publications:
1. Preparedness Assessments
Providers interested in rural health networks as potential solutions
to common problems can benefit from this service. Two types of assessments
are offered: A half-day assessment with all interested parties and multiple
day assessments with separate sessions for each potential participants.
Both assessments cover similar topics: networking concepts and history and
participating organizations' views of the problems their community face,
the need for a network response, the benefits they expect and potential
courses of network action. The half-day session is recommended for providers
interested in the networking concept but without specific network objectives.
The multiple day session is recommended for providers who have already identified
potential network projects but are unsure about levels of interest, potential
benefits and courses of action.
This service is useful for networks during their formative stages of development by providing them with guidance which can help them "jump start" their activities and provide benefits to their members. It can be conducted over a 2 to 6 week period and generally ranges from $2,900 to $9,500.
2. Community Health Needs Assessment and
Strategic Planning
Rural health networks should undertake community health needs assessment
which help them assess current and emerging compelling unmet needs, identify
program priorities and select strategic options. Both qualitative and quantitative
data is collected, analyzed and integrated which provides network members
with potential cross validation of high priority needs and strategies. Data
acquisition and analysis address general demographics, health status, health
care service utilization levels and patterns of in-migration and out-migration,
the impact of neighboring health service providers, community perceptions
of key health care issues and provider perceptions of the strengths, weaknesses,
threats and opportunities. Each type of information provides the network
with critical data about its community, its market characteristics, and
its health care service system and serves as a base for the selection of
long term and short term strategic options.
Assessments can be conducted as an initial network action or during more advanced network development phases, after compelling needs have been successfully addressed, and additional objectives need to be considered. The process results in a data compendium addressing community, market forces, and provider characteristics.
A series of potential priorities are also culled from the data for consideration by the network for program development. Potential program strategic actions are examined by considering "hard and soft returns and benefits" to members, associated risks, and readiness.
Equally importantly, HMS Associates has assisted networks in developing mission statements, goals and objectives, participant requirements, budgets, letters of agreement, articles or incorporation, operational procedures, corporate structures, staff recruitment, grants management, and revenue prospecting.
For mature networks, HMS has reviewed and revised mission statements and aligned strategic objectives to current needs and benefits. Plans for network self-sufficiency are also detailed. These services can be conducted in 3 to 9 months and generally range from $9,500 to $34,900.
3. Network Management Services
Network management services are geared to your networks' specific
needs, especially when programs and resources do not yet require full time
network coordination staff. HMS oversees the implementation of network programs
until the network needs or can retain employees. Administrative support
services include logistics regarding meetings, participation in network
meetings, acting as the network's spokesperson or representative, maintenance
of records and financial transactions, reports to funding bodies, assuring
that the network adheres to its established policies and procedures, and
most importantly monitoring progress regarding work plans and making recommendations
on changes when indicated. Networks have found these services of value in
that they free-up network members to concentrate their energies on their
own unique implementation roles and rely upon HMS to manage the network
programs and focus on the attainment of goals and objectives. Management
services contracts last between 6 months to 3 years and cost approximately
$2,400 per month.
HMS also offers ad hoc consultative services to network executives and coordinators on a discounted fee/retainer basis.
4. Local Health Data Library
Available to networks in New York State at this time. See library.
* Fees are subject to change.
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Network Development Services
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HMS Associates
Suite B, Box 3742280 Millersport HighwayGetzville, NY 14068
Tel. (716) 688 - 8448Fax (716) 688 - 0395Toll Free (877)
889-6519
E-mail: Consulthms@aol.com
