IHA Daily Briefing: November 10

Next Week: ISHRM Webinar on Independent Peer Review Nov. 18

A Nov. 18 webinar hosted by the Illinois Society of Healthcare Risk Management (ISHRM) will explore the purpose of independent peer review, the process and its potential impact. The noon-1 p.m. CT session will also highlight the role of review in evaluating complex medical cases, promoting objective clinical assessments, and engaging in meaningful discussions with executive and physician leaders over review results.

Leaders with Champaign-based CIMRO, an accredited independent peer review organization, will lead the webinar. They are: April Vogelsang, MS, RN, NEA-BC, Chief Executive Officer of CIMRO Quality Healthcare Solutions, and Van Dawson, MBA, Vice President, Strategic Growth and Client Engagement at CIMRO. Vogelsang previously held senior executive positions with Health Alliance Medical Plans and Carle Health, where she focused on system-wide population health and clinical integration.

The webinar is complimentary for ISHRM members and $25 for non-members. Continuing education credit is available for risk managers. Attend to gain a better understanding of how independent peer review works and its value to healthcare. Register today.

Staff contact: Teresa Baumgartner

FDA Warning: GLP-1s Linked to Rare Condition Causing Sudden Blindness

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a safety communication Monday requiring safety label changes for GLP-1s, saying that there is a potential increased risk of a rare eye condition that can cause sudden blindness in people taking GLP-1 drugs. The condition, called nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), affects the optic nerve and can cause permanent vision loss. There is no known treatment for NAION. The label change will apply to all GLP-1s, including Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound, as well as several other GLP-1 diabetes medications. The FDA's communication said healthcare professionals should be aware of the potential increased risk of NAION in patients treated with GLP-1 drugs, and patients should be instructed to immediately report sudden onset of decreased vision or visual disturbances.

Comments Sought on Autonomous Robotic Medical Devices

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is seeking feedback on a recently released discussion paper that weighs the benefits and risks of robotic medical devices with autonomous or remote teleoperation capabilities. The paper examines robotic medical devices that are intended for surgical procedures as well as those with nonsurgical applications, such as positioning or controlling instruments or imaging tools to perform specific tasks. Comments on the paper are due by Jan. 5, 2027. The FDA noted the paper is intended for discussion purposes only and does not represent draft or final guidance. The discussion paper follows guidance released by the FDA in September that includes recommendations on nonclinical testing, clinical data and labeling for premarket submissions of certain robotically assisted surgical devices. The comment period on the draft guidance ends Nov. 24.

Illinois Respiratory Disease Surveillance Data

The Infectious Respiratory Disease Surveillance Dashboard from the Illinois Dept. of Public Health (IDPH) provides the latest data on hospital visits, seasonal trends, lab test positivity and demographic data. IDPH also tracks COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus information through the Illinois Wastewater Surveillance System dashboard.

Briefly Noted

The Illinois General Assembly returns to Springfield next week for the first week of fall Veto Session. The Illinois Senate is scheduled to convene Nov. 17-19 and return Dec. 1-3. The Illinois House of Representatives was scheduled to meet during the same periods, although it recently canceled its Nov. 19 session day.

Leading the News

OSF Saint Francis becomes first Illinois hospital to receive national emergency surgery verification

WCBU

A program designed to improve emergency general surgery across the U.S. has recognized Peoria's OSF Saint Francis Medical Center for providing quality care and safety with non-traumatic operations. Saint Francis is the first hospital in Illinois, and 18th in the nation, to earn verification from the American College of Surgeons [ACS] through its Emergency General Surgery Verification Program.

Deaconess Illinois aims to reverse OB desert

Becker's Hospital Review

Southern Illinois is the heart of rural America. You'll see farmlands, horse stables, small towns with a central square and small hospitals that have cared for generations of families. What you won't see is maternal health and obstetrics services. That is a problem Will Davis, president of Deaconess Illinois, intends to solve.

Endeavor Health CEO on Rush merger: 'We are all-in on Chicago'

Becker's Hospital Review

Evanston, Ill.-based Endeavor Health and Chicago-based Rush University System for Health announced plans to merge Oct. 14, creating a 12-hospital system with more than 46,000 employees and clinicians that will serve 2 million patients across northern Illinois and northwest Indiana. The transaction is expected to close in early 2027, at which point the combined system will operate under the Rush brand.

What 3 top nutrition experts eat for breakfast

The Washington Post

As a nutrition columnist, I often interview experts to get their thoughts on the latest studies about food and health. But for the past year, I've been asking them a more personal question: What do you eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner? I've heard some fascinating answers. While their meals are never identical, they often share a common theme, especially when it comes to breakfast: Greek yogurt.