New IHA Resource to Support Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing Patients
IHA has released a new resource to help hospitals and health systems strengthen communication and improve care for members of the Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing (DDBHH) community.
Clear Connections: A Toolkit to Support Illinois Hospitals and Healthcare Systems in Caring for Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing Patients, was developed by IHA with input from member hospitals and guidance from 2axend, a Deaf-owned strategic consulting and training firm. The toolkit reflects real-world challenges faced by hospitals and health systems, with subject matter expertise to provide actionable guidance and practical strategies to enhance communication and improve the patient experience for members of the Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing community.
This toolkit is now available here on the IHA website for members to use. Key components of the toolkit include:
- Community Overview: Insights into the terminology, cultural, and linguistic diversity within the DDBHH community.
- Legal and Regulatory Framework: An overview of key federal and state laws and regulations related to effective communication and nondiscrimination for patients with language or communication barriers.
- Auxiliary Aids and Services: Information on the various types of auxiliary aids and services that healthcare organizations may consider utilizing.
- Implementation and Emergency Communication Standards: An overview of recommended implementation practices and emergency management communication standards.
- Measurement and Evaluation: A summary of approaches that can be used to assess the effectiveness of communication strategies.
- Additional Resources: A collection of resources that members can use to further strengthen communication practices.
Questions can be directed to IHA staff at OptimalHealthForAll@team-iha.org.
IHA Leadership Summit: Top Speakers on Navigating Disruption
Disruption in the early 2000s occurred in pockets but is now pervasive, said Scott Anthony, a global innovation expert. Anthony and thought leader Craig Deao together will present “The Choice Ahead: Own Your Future or Be Disrupted by It” at the 2026 IHA Leadership Summit, held Oct. 1-2 in Oak Brook, laying the foundation for the Summit, “Navigating Disruption Together.”
IHA recently met with Anthony and Deao about what hospital and health system leaders can expect from their session, which Deao described as a working session, not a lecture. “This is very explicitly not a ‘healthcare is doomed’ session,” he said. “It’s designed to be positive and focused on solutions so that people leave energized” and ready to have a different conversation at their hospital or health system. Hear what else Deao and Anthony shared about their session in an IHA-produced video.
Anthony, a clinical professor of strategy at Dartmouth College’s Tuck School of Business, studied under Clayton Christensen, regarded as the father of disruptive innovation theory. One of Christensen’s lessons, he said, is that an “essential ingredient to turning disruption from a threat to an opportunity is a common language and a common way to frame disruption.”
Gain more insight from Anthony and Deao at this year’s Summit—and be part of this important conversation. See our video and register today.
Staff contact: David Strickland
CISA: Advice for Isolating Vital Systems in Critical Infrastructure Organizations
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has released the joint Critical Infrastructure (CI) Guidance, CI Fortify – Advice for isolating vital systems. This resource provides practical steps to help CI organizations separate vital operational technology and enabling systems from other networks during a disruption or crisis, allowing them to operate independently for extended periods.
Developed in response to increasing cyber threats, the guidance outlines how to identify critical systems, map interconnections, and implement effective isolation and separation points. By following these recommendations, organizations can improve their resilience, reduce operational downtime, and maintain essential services during cyber incidents or geopolitical instability.
ANA Recognizes Patient Blood Management Nursing as New Specialty
The American Nurses Association (ANA) now recognizes patient blood management (PBM) nursing as a nursing specialty. According to the Society for the Advancement of Patient Blood Management (SABM), the recognition establishes PBM nursing as an official specialty, which has been outlined in a comprehensive scope and standards document developed to define the knowledge, skills, responsibilities, and professional expectations that characterize PBM nursing practice.
As the specialty's professional association, SABM will oversee continuing education standards, professional development opportunities, and the creation of a formal certification credential for PBM nurses. The recognition follows a multi-year effort that began in 2021, when a SABM nursing workgroup partnered with ANA to pursue specialty recognition.
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
Becton Dickinson (BD) has issued a letter to affected customers recommending certain Intraosseous Vascular Access System Needle Sets be removed from where they are used or sold. BD has identified an issue that may delay initiation of therapy. As of July 22, BD has reported 45 serious injuries and four deaths associated with this issue.
Additionally, a correction notice has been issued for certain Astral ventilators by Resmed due to a supercapacitor that may leak over time, and Abiomed is recommending all 14Fr Low Profile Introducer Kits be removed from where they are used or sold due to thrombus formation following prolonged use of the introducer. Resmed has reported five serious injuries with the ventilator issue, and Abiomed has reported three serious injuries identified in connection with its kits.
Leading the News
50 best hospitals for cardiology, heart and vascular surgery
Becker’s Hospital Review
Twenty hospitals were recognized as U.S. News and World Report’s 2026-2027 Best Hospitals Honor Roll.
25 top academic medical centers, per Lown
Becker’s Hospital Review
The Lown Institute released its 2026 ranking of the top academic medical centers in the nation Aug. 4, drawing from the broader 2026 Lown Hospitals Index published in June.
10 best colleges for long-term career success: LinkedIn
Becker’s Hospital Review
Several of the colleges on LinkedIn News’ annual list of the 50 best schools for long-term career success are affiliated with academic health systems.
