Laurinburg, N.C.-based Scotland Health Care System was named a finalist for the 2026 American Hospital Association Rural Hospital Excellence in Innovation Award for its health-at-home program.
The program includes community health workers visiting patients at home to support medication management and connecting them to primary care physicians to steer them away from unnecessary emergency department use, according to a June 3 AHA news release. Community paramedics also conduct wellness checks, provide health education, and facilitate telehealth visits for patients who face transportation barriers or limited technology access.
The results are measurable. Maternal health no-show rates fell from 20–25% to 17%, and rates of inadequate prenatal care have declined. The program also screens patients for social drivers of health including transportation, food insecurity, and housing instability, allowing Scotland Health to address nonmedical barriers to care utilization.
The AHA Rural Hospital Excellence in Innovation Award is sponsored by Microsoft.
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.
