Guides
The survey-and-quality world, explained plainly.
HCAHPS, CAHPS, MBQIP, QAPI — the acronyms run rural healthcare. These guides explain them the way we’d explain them across a table: directly, with the details that actually matter.
What is HCAHPS?
The CMS hospital experience survey, explained: what it asks, who must field it, and how scores work.
Updated July 2026
How is HCAHPS scored?
Top-box percentages, star ratings, the 100-survey threshold, and why "Usually" counts as zero.
Updated July 2026
What is CAHPS?
The whole survey family — HCAHPS, OAS CAHPS, HHCAHPS, and more — and which ones your organization must field.
Updated July 2026
What are the HCAHPS survey questions?
The question topics, the Always–Never scale, and what hospitals can and can't change.
Updated July 2026
Patient satisfaction survey questions, with examples
Example questions by category, written the CAHPS way — and when a custom survey makes sense.
Updated July 2026
What is a swing bed?
How small rural hospitals keep recovery close to home — and how the program works.
Updated July 2026
How to improve HCAHPS scores
The honest playbook: consistency, feedback speed, and what the protocol won't let you do.
Updated July 2026
What is QAPI?
Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement: the definition, the 5 elements, and who needs a program.
Updated July 2026