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Small Health Care Provider Quality Improvement Grant Program

Small Health Care Provider Quality Improvement grants fund provide support to rural primary care providers for implementation of quality improvement activities.

Grantees are required to

• utilize an evidence-based quality improvement model, 
• perform tests of change focused on improvement, and 
• use health information technology (HIT) to collect and report data. HIT may include an electronic patient registry (EPR) or an electronic health record (EHR), and is a critical component for improving quality and patient outcomes.

The Rural Quality Program supports three years of funding. During the first year of the program, grantees will complete implementation of any additional HIT needed for data collection, train staff on data collection and the evidence-based quality improvement model, begin collecting, testing and validating data, and begin implementation of quality improvement initiatives and tests of change. Grantees are expected to report baseline clinical data by six (6) months after the project period start date. During year two, grantees will continue reporting clinical data, using data to guide quality improvement initiatives, and work on sustainability, culminating in submission of a final sustainability plan by the end of the year. During the third and final year, grantees will continue reporting data, identify another condition or disease to begin quality improvement activities once federal funds have ended, and continue work on sustainability.

Although  not required, applicants are strongly encouraged to form a consortium or network for this program.

Funding

This program will provide funding during Federal fiscal years 2013 - 2015. Approximately $150,000 is expected to be available annually to fund approximately 40-50 grantees. Applicants may apply for a ceiling amount of up to $150,000 per year. The project period is three (3) years. Funding beyond the first year is dependent on the availability of appropriated funds for the Rural Quality Program in subsequent fiscal years, grantee satisfactory performance, and a decision that continued funding is in the best interest of the Federal Government.

Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants must be rural public or rural nonprofit private entities that deliver health care services in rural areas, such as Rural Health Clinics, Critical Access Hospitals and Federally Qualified Health Centers.

Organizations and/or consortia are not eligible if they have previously received a grant for the Rural Quality Program or similar projects (e.g., HRSA Health Disparities Collaborative grant recipients are ineligible).