Reminder: Average Commercial Rate Data Due – June 25, 2025 
The Illinois Dept. of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) and Milliman are currently collecting Average Commercial Rate (ACR) data from all Illinois hospitals to demonstrate that payments made to hospitals through the managed care program do not exceed the ACR—a requirement for continuing state directed payments under the Hospital Assessment Program (HAP). Hospitals must submit their ACR survey data to HFS no later than June 25, 2025 to continue receiving HAP funding. Click here for more background and to view IHA memos on this topic, access webinar recordings, view the ACR data collection document, and open job aid upload instructions and an FAQ document. You must be registered on the IHA website to access these items.

Staff contact: Elizabeth Nelson 

IDPH Dear Colleague Letter on COVID-19 Vaccination Changes
Following recent shifts in federal COVID-19 vaccine guidance announced by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Illinois Dept. of Public Health (IDPH) issued a June 6 communication to inform healthcare providers and public health officials that IDPH is reviewing the implications of that guidance for state providers and residents. IDPH noted that new federal guidance diverges from established Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advisory processes. 

In response, IDPH’s communication issues guidance with respect to COVID-19 vaccination for children and pregnant people, as well as resources related to vaccine access and insurance coverage. IDPH said it plans to establish an independent review process conducted by subject matter experts to determine if future federal guidelines align with the latest scientific and epidemiological evidence. The Department said it also intends to issue a detailed health advisory regarding COVID-19 vaccination recommendations following the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices meetings scheduled June 25-27.

Antimicrobial Stewardship Honor Roll – IHA, IDPH Webinar on June 16
IHA is partnering with the Illinois Dept. of Public Health (IDPH) to promote an exciting opportunity for hospitals: the “Acute Care Hospital Antimicrobial Stewardship Honor Roll.” This prestigious recognition program celebrates hospitals that demonstrate leadership and excellence in antimicrobial stewardship.

Join IHA and IDPH on Monday, June 16, at noon CT for a one-hour webinar, “Driving Antimicrobial Stewardship Success: IDPH’s Hospital Honor Roll Initiative.” You will learn how your hospital can earn this distinguished honor and gain statewide recognition for your efforts.

IDPH’s Antimicrobial Stewardship Program Manager Jamie Jacob, PharmD, BCIDP, will:

• Introduce the IDPH Acute Care Antimicrobial Stewardship Honor Roll;
• Highlight the benefits for hospital participation in the honor roll; and
• Explain the steps included in the honor roll application process.

Register now for this complimentary webinar, which is open to all acute care hospitals. Please share the registration information with colleagues responsible for the implementation of antimicrobial stewardship initiatives. 

Contact QualityPatientSafety@team-iha.org with questions.

IDPH, Rush and Lurie Children’s to Establish Special Pathogen Treatment Centers
Gov. JB Pritzker announced today that the State of Illinois has teamed up with Rush University Medical Center and the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago to serve as Elite Special Pathogen Treatment Centers for "High-Consequence Pathogens." Under two agreements with the Illinois Dept. of Public Health (IDPH), the hospitals will upgrade their capacity to treat people suffering from high-consequence pathogens. The term refers to highly infectious diseases that pose a threat to public safety, such as such Ebola virus, Lassa fever and pneumonic plague.

Under the agreements with Rush and Lurie Children’s, the two hospitals will be required to maintain the capacity to each simultaneously treat at least two patients with a high-consequence pathogen. This includes maintaining appropriate triage and transfer protocols with other local hospitals, specialized rooms and equipment, and appropriately trained staff.

Study: Healthcare Support Workers Report Highest Levels of Depression
A new JAMA Network Open study of data from over 500,000 U.S. workers found that depression rates are significantly higher among healthcare support workers. About 21% of healthcare support workers and 18% of healthcare practitioners report lifetime depression diagnoses—well above the 14.2% average across all occupations. The data, collected from 2015 to 2019 through the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System in 37 states, also show higher rates among women and young adults. Researchers emphasize the need for more study on the impact of workplace factors on mental health, as hospitals expand efforts to support worker well-being.