Free Tool to Improve Outpatient Prescribing: Live Demo on July 16
Data is one of your most powerful tools in the fight against antibiotic resistance. Join IHA for a complimentary webinar, “Antibiotics in Focus: A 360° Look at Outpatient Prescribing Practices with the CHARM Project,” on July 16 from noon-1:00 p.m. CT to discover how your organization can turn existing outpatient prescribing data into actionable insights. During the webinar, Ferris State University leaders Michael Klepser, PharmD, and Minji Sohn, PhD, will: 

• Provide an overview of the CHARM Project’s goals and benefits;
• Lead a live demonstration of the prescribing data dashboards; and
• Walk you through the practical steps organizations can take to get involved.

Click here to register for the webinar. Please share this opportunity with colleagues who lead or support your organization’s antimicrobial stewardship efforts. If you have any questions, contact QualityPatientSafety@team-iha.org.

Apply for the Rural Hospital Stabilization Program
The Rural Hospital Stabilization Program (RHSP) was established to help hospitals improve financial stability through comprehensive assessment and planning that support data-driven decisions, expand needed services, and keep care close to home. Eligible hospitals include Critical Access Hospitals, Prospective Payment System hospitals, Rural Emergency Hospitals, and Indian Health Service hospitals. Click here for more information about the program, including eligibility criteria, the application process and frequently asked questions. Click here to apply. The application deadline for the fall 2025 cohort is Aug. 20.  

There will be a 75-minute webinar on Aug. 5 at 2 p.m. CT that will provide more details about how participation in the RHSP can help hospitals improve financial performance and operational efficiency. Click here to register for the webinar by July 31. Space is limited and the webinar will be recorded. 

IDPH Declares the Southern Illinois Measles Outbreak Over 
The Illinois Dept. of Public Health (IDPH) today declared the recent Southern Illinois measles outbreak over, saying that no new Illinois cases have been diagnosed since May 22, and two full incubation periods (42 days) have elapsed since the last confirmed case. A total of eight measles cases, all linked to one another, were identified in Southern Illinois in April and May. IDPH said that two additional, unrelated cases were identified in Cook County around the same time. Those did not constitute an outbreak, and there was no further indication of any additional spread beyond those two individuals. Click here for more information from IDPH on the Department’s measles response efforts. 

CISA Identifies Key Vulnerabilities Exploited by Iranian Cyber Actors
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has released a Cyber Vulnerability Insights Estimate detailing 90 known Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs) that Iranian state-sponsored or affiliated cyber actors have targeted or exploited, some dating back to 2012. Of those, 54 vulnerabilities are currently present across U.S. critical infrastructure networks. Key takeaways include:

•  Microsoft products account for one-third of the targeted CVEs, with older versions of Exchange Server being notably vulnerable.
• Over 25% of the CVEs affect open-source software (OSS), many embedded in broader supply chains. One such OSS vulnerability was used in a 2022 breach of a U.S. federal agency.
• The same types of software weaknesses appear across sectors, meaning focused remediation could significantly reduce exposure to Iranian cyber threats.

CISA’s analysis is based on internet-facing systems across approximately 22,600 critical infrastructure entities, including the healthcare sector. While CISA says there’s currently no indication of a coordinated Iranian cyber campaign, CISA continues to urge organizations to stay alert and act on these findings. For the full list of vulnerabilities and additional context, refer to CISA’s Cyber Vulnerability Insights Estimate.