Blog
Field notes for rural healthcare.
CAHPS changes, CMS deadlines, and practical quality guidance for rural and Critical Access Hospitals — from the team that runs these programs every day.
Quality & QAPI
Does Your Hospital Board Really Get Quality?
Here’s why that matters more than you think.
Angie Schierer · 4 min read
Quality & QAPI
Understanding the Difference: Lean Project vs. QAPI Goal
Think of Lean Projects and QAPI Goals as the dynamic duo of quality improvement – they work together, but they each have their own superpowers.
Angie Schierer · 2 min read
Quality & QAPI
Patient Safety Success Story: How One Small Hospital Cut Medication Errors in Half
Patient Safety Awareness Week rolled around in 2024, and a small rural hospital in the Midwest decided it was time to tackle a problem that’s all too common – medication mistakes.
Angie Schierer · 2 min read
Quality & QAPI
Patient Safety: It Doesn’t End at the Hospital Door
Here’s the thing about patient safety – it’s not just a hospital problem. It’s a kitchen table problem. It’s a classroom problem. It’s a workplace problem.
Angie Schierer · 3 min read
Quality & QAPI
Patient Safety Awareness Week: It’s Everybody’s Job (And It’s More Than a Week)
Every March, hospitals across the country take part in Patient Safety Awareness Week—a chance to shine a light on the work that keeps patients safe.
Angie Schierer · 3 min read
Leadership & teams
Mastering the Art of Virtual Facilitation: A Crucial Skill for Distributed Teams
Remote work made virtual facilitation a core skill. What it takes to guide online meetings, training, and workshops that keep people engaged.
Maria Matarelli · 3 min read
Rural health policy
Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler: A Trailblazer in Rural Healthcare
Meet Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler, the first Black woman in the U.S. to earn a medical degree, and the woman who helped shape modern family medicine.
Angie Schierer · 2 min read
Patient engagement
Why We Wear Red: Go Red for Women & Heart Health
Every first Friday of February, millions of people wear red to take a stand against the leading cause of death among women – heart disease.
Angie Schierer · 2 min read
Quality & QAPI
Is It Time for a Quality Department Facelift?
As you begin your overall evaluation, here is a quick checklist of items to determine if your department(s) need a revamp.
Angie Schierer · 3 min read
Leadership & teams
Communication vs. Connecting: What’s the Best Way to Build Trust & Have Influence?
Communication is the lifeblood of the fast-paced world we live in - but how often are we really connecting with others?
Angie Schierer · 2 min read
Leadership & teams
Using LEGO® and Play to Stimulate Innovation & Generate New Ideas
How exactly does LEGO® unlock creativity, and why is play such an effective method?
Angie Schierer · 4 min read
Leadership & teams
Building Better Communication with LEGO® Serious Play!
At Canopy Associates, we believe that building better communication starts with breaking out of traditional thinking – and maybe even building a tower.
Angie Schierer · 1 min read
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