IHA Daily Briefing: May 14

Updated Guidance Issued on New H-1B Visa Filing Fee

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has released updated guidance regarding the $100,000 fee for H-1B visas that was announced last month. The guidance states the new fee does not apply to any previously issued and current H-1B visas and does not prevent current H-1B holders from traveling within the U.S. or abroad. It also does not apply to those requesting an amendment, change of status or a stay extension. The guidance only applies to beneficiaries who are outside of the U.S. and do not have a valid H-1B visa.

The guidance also provides details about the online portal to pay the new fee. Proof of payment, or evidence of receiving an exception from the fee, is due at the time of the petition filing.

An exception process has been established to grant approvals on a case-by-case basis as opposed to categorical exceptions. Those seeking an exception are asked to submit an email with "supporting evidence" demonstrating why hiring the worker is in the national interest; why no American worker can fill the role; establishing the worker is not a security threat; and explaining why requiring the employer to pay the fee would undermine the national interest.

Although the American Hospital Association (AHA) and other stakeholders have petitioned the federal administration to include an exception for healthcare workers from the new H-1B fees, to date no such exception has been created. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has also filed a lawsuit challenging the $100,000 fee on H-1B visa petitions. IHA will continue to work with AHA to advocate for an exception for H-1B visa holders serving U.S. hospitals.

Infection Prevention News You Can Use: Oct. 23

IHA continues to recognize International Infection Prevention Week, celebrating the important role that infection preventionists play in keeping our communities safe and healthy. Today, IHA's "Infection Prevention News You Can Use" newsletter features information on environmental cleaning and disinfection, which are essential to interrupt the transmission of infectious diseases in healthcare and community settings. Click here to access today's newsletter, which provides information that can help you conduct an environmental cleaning assessment in your hospital.

Thank you for all you do to keep your patients, colleagues, family members and community safe. If you have questions or if there are opportunities for IHA to support your efforts, we encourage you to contact [email protected].

IDPH Cybersecurity Vulnerability Training Held Nov. 5-6

Stay one step ahead of cyber threats by learning how to identify and fix vulnerabilities before they become critical. The Illinois Dept. of Public Health (IDPH) Office of Preparedness and Response, in conjunction with the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service, invites hospitals to register for MGT 303: Cybersecurity Vulnerability Assessment, held from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. CT, Nov. 5-6.

This course will help build the technical and professional skills needed to assess, document, remediate and report on cybersecurity vulnerabilities within an organization. Participants will learn how to examine, analyze, and prioritize assets, risks, and vulnerabilities to develop a comprehensive assessment report for organizational leadership. The course is intended for IT and cybersecurity practitioners, including analysts, technicians, engineers, and managers.

Training will be held in the IDPH training room, located at 1 Natural Resources Way in Springfield. Click here to create an account and register. For questions or additional information, please contact Bunmi Adanri at 217-299-3648.

FDA Requires Updated Labeling for Tranexamic Acid Injection

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is requiring updated labeling for tranexamic acid injection that emphasizes the risk of serious harm or death if it is administered incorrectly through a spinal injection. The agency is mandating a boxed warning communicating the risk of medication errors; a contraindication for spinal and epidural use; and revised dosage instructions clarifying the drug should only be administered intravenously, with instructions for preparing and administering the diluted solution.

FDA initiated the labeling changes following a review of cases that found tranexamic acid was mistakenly administered intrathecally or epidurally instead of the intended local anesthetics, such as bupivacaine or lidocaine, which led to serious patient outcomes, including prolonged hospitalizations and deaths. FDA said medical practice-level and facility-level human factors (e.g., storing tranexamic acid injection close to local anesthetics and failing to verify the product before administration) contributed to the medication errors.

The labeling changes also include recommendations for more prominent container labeling and additional administration safeguards, such as barcode scanning and separate storage from anesthetics. In its notice, FDA outlined additional risk-reduction strategies for healthcare professionals and facilities to prevent further medication errors.