IHA Daily Briefing: May 5

AHA, Joint Commission Announce Cybersecurity Readiness Effort
The American Hospital Association (AHA) and Joint Commission yesterday announced the launch of the Cyber Resilience Readiness (CRR) program, an initiative designed to help hospitals and health systems assess and strengthen their ability to sustain "clinical continuity," or safe clinical operations, during cyber-related technology outages. The first-of-its-kind program was developed in partnership with several healthcare organizations and informed by lessons from actual ransomware and cyber events that have affected hospitals nationwide, to emphasize real-world operational readiness and patient safety impacts, rather than IT recovery alone. The voluntary program evaluates an organization's ability to maintain safe patient care during cyber disruptions; coordinate clinical, operational, and leadership response during downtime; prepare staff to function effectively during a significant cyber incident; and identify and mitigate risks that pose a threat to clinical continuity.

CISA Webinar Series Targets Conflict Prevention, De-Escalation
As security threats evolve, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is offering a Conflict Prevention Webinar Series to help organizations identify risks early and de-escalate volatile situations.

The first session, "Introduction to Conflict Prevention Techniques," will be held May 13 and June 10 at 12:30 p.m. CT. This 30-minute webinar will introduce core elements of conflict prevention, help participants identify key behavioral indicators, and highlight resources that can strengthen overall security preparedness.

The second session, "Conflict Prevention Strategies to Deter Targeted Violence," is scheduled for May 27 and June 24 at 12:30 p.m. CT. This 60-minute webinar will build on those fundamentals with a deeper dive into the threat landscape, actionable de-escalation strategies, and best practices for preventing targeted violence.

Registration is limited to 1,000 participants. Click here to register. Additional information and resources from CISA are available here.

AACN Updates Pediatric Critical Care Staffing Standards
The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) has published "AACN Standards for Appropriate Staffing in Pediatric Critical Care," saying the guidance is intended to help organizations address the complex challenges of nurse staffing in pediatric critical care settings. According to an AACN news release, the resource outlines seven standards designed to guide nurse staffing practices in pediatric critical care settings, taking into account patient age, developmental level, and patient- and family-centered care. Each staffing standard provides actions, exemplars, tools, and resources to implement, evaluate, and improve pediatric nurse staffing practices.