The Flex Monitoring Team (FMT) is excited to release a new product, Facilitators of Strong Quality and Financial Outcomes in Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs). This brief builds on the prior quantitative analysis described in the companion brief, Characteristics of Critical Access Hospitals with High Financial and Quality Metrics, to explore how high-performing CAHs attain excellence in both quality and finance.
Through interviews with leaders at ten CAHs identified as top performers across key financial and quality benchmarks, this brief identifies leadership strategies, organizational practices, and external supports that contribute to success in both domains. Respondents highlighted traits such as active executive leadership, a strong patient/community focus, and transparent communication. Board engagement, participation in Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs), and service expansion were also commonly cited as drivers of success. These findings offer practical insights for CAH leaders, State Flex Programs, and other rural health stakeholders aiming to support organizational improvement in both financial and quality outcomes.