IHA Daily Briefing: October 29

REGISTER: Webinar on Independent Peer Review Hosted by ISHRM Nov. 18

Independent peer review can enhance quality, safety, and hospital performance through a deeper look into complex or sensitive cases and external insight into specific quality or safety concerns. A Nov. 18 webinar hosted by the Illinois Society of Healthcare Risk Management (ISHRM) will explore the purpose of review, its process and 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 about 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.

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

Sen. Duckworth to Host Congressionally Directed Spending Webinars

The Office of Sen. Tammy Duckworth has announced two free webinars that will provide an overview of Sen. Duckworth's Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) process. Sen. Duckworth's CDS webinar for nonprofit organizations, including healthcare administrators, community development leaders and post-secondary educational institutions, will take place Tuesday, Nov. 10 from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. CT. Participants will learn about CDS requirements for projects including, but not limited to, rural development, health facility upgrades, post-secondary educational institution improvements and economic development initiatives. Click here to register for the nonprofit CDS webinar.

A Monday, Nov. 9 webinar intended for local government officials is also scheduled from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. CT. Participants will learn about CDS requirements for projects including, but not limited to, wastewater and drinking water infrastructure upgrades, airport improvements, rural development, health facility upgrades, school improvements and law enforcement equipment upgrades.

For questions, contact Senator Duckworth's CDS Team at [email protected].

IDPH Emphasizes Importance of Immunizations

In a media announcement yesterday, the Illinois Dept. of Public Health (IDPH) underscored the importance of getting immunized against seasonal respiratory illnesses, like flu, COVID-19 and RSV. IDPH said that while the Department's Seasonal Respiratory Illinois Dashboard still reflects low levels of respiratory illness activity, there are signs flu is on the rise. In September, IDPH issued its fall respiratory virus immunization guidance for children, adults and pregnant individuals. The fall immunization guidance was adopted by IDPH based on recommendations made by the Illinois Immunization Advisory Committee.

Spotlight on IHA Business Resources: Illinois Compensation Trust
Focused exclusively on healthcare, the Illinois Compensation Trust (ICT) is a unique workers' compensation coverage program for Illinois healthcare organizations that desire a first-dollar or high-deductible program. Member-owned and member-governed, ICT is a risk pooling program that has returned dividends to members at over $118 million to date.

ICT is managed by Illinois Risk Management Services, an IHA affiliate corporation, that provides claims handling, loss control and other administrative services to ICT members. Claims management services include: investigations and compensability determination; medical and prescription management and cost containment; and proactive claims resolutions.

Loss control services include: onsite occupational safety and health inspections and assessments; hospital work accident data trend analysis to identify leading causes by occupational hazard; and assistance with post-work accident root cause analysis. See our flyer and learn how ICT can support your hospital's risk management goals.

Staff contacts: Amy Tozzi and Beth McKay-Anaya

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

B. Braun has issued a letter to affected customers recommending discontinued use of certain Hemodialysis Bloodlines due to the possibility the bloodline connector may detach or leak during priming or dialysis treatment. While there have been no serious injuries or deaths reported in association with this issue, it has the potential to be life-threatening.

Leading the News

Illinois grapples with medical debt, care access as Medicaid work requirements loom

WTTW

With Medicaid work requirements set to go into effect in the new year, local healthcare providers are bracing for a sharp increase in the number of uninsured patients. Among the challenges that might lead to is the worsening impact of medical debt. Now, experts are taking a look at how some strategies - from relieving debt, to preventing it in the first place - might hold up under this new strain on the system.

313 hospitals with the lowest MRSA infection rate

Becker's Hospital Review

Across 47 states, 313 hospitals have a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection rate of zero, CMS data found.

698 rural hospitals at risk of closing, by state

Becker's Hospital Review

Nearly 700 rural hospitals across the country, about one-third of all rural facilities in the U.S., are at risk of closing due to severe financial problems, according to an Oct. 28 Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform analysis