REGISTER: Critical Access Hospital Compliance Webinar Series
Strengthen your hospital’s compliance program by attending IHA’s five-part webinar series on Conditions of Participation (CoP) for Critical Access Hospitals (CAH).

The series, designed specifically for CAH leaders and staff, will provide a thorough look at the most frequently cited deficiencies among Illinois CAHs, the latest updates to the State Operations Manual, and proactive strategies for maintaining compliance.

Each session will take place from 9:30-11:30 a.m. CT. Dates and topics are:  

• July 25 – Recent regulatory changes, emergency services, observation status and the most frequently cited deficiencies;
  Aug. 1 – Physical plant and environment, emergency preparedness, governing board and organizational structure;
• Aug. 8 – Nursing, laboratory, pharmaceutical, radiologic and rehabilitation services, infection prevention and control, and antibiotic stewardship;
• Aug. 15 – Medical records, surgical services, organ procurement and swing beds; and
• Aug. 22 – Quality Assessment Performance Improvement (QAPI), discharge planning and patient rights.

Nationally recognized Medicare expert Nancy M. Ruzicka, BS, RPh, MBA, MJ, CHC, will lead the webinars. Ruzicka provides consultation to individual client hospitals, nursing facilities, rural health clinics, physician offices and other Medicare-certified healthcare providers.

Registration is per webinar. Be sure to select the “Health System" option to enroll multiple hospitals in a program when registering.

Staff contact: Bridget McCarte

REGISTER: Free IHA Webinar Series on Social Drivers of Health
Hospitals and health systems can improve patient health outcomes by implementing rigorous, sustainable screening processes for social drivers of health (SDOH). A complimentary IHA webinar series will guide you in establishing such processes, as well present strategies for building strong partnerships with community-based organizations.

With SDOH impacting community health and life expectancy, IHA encourages members to participate in the series. Sessions will be held from noon-1 p.m. CT on:

• June 24: “Integrating Social Care into Your Medical Practice,” covering best practices for screening processes that foster trust between patients and clinicians; and
• June 26: “Addressing Social Needs at the Individual and Community Level,” exploring systems for a sustainable and measurable impact on health.

The series is designed for C-Suite leaders, nurses, physicians, health educators and social workers. Registrants will receive a link to the webinar recording after each session.

There is no fee to attend. Funding was provided by the IDPH Improving the Health of Illinoisans Through Chronic Disease Prevention grant. Register today.

Staff contact: Abby Radcliffe

IDFPR: Additional License Types on New Online Licensing System
The Illinois Dept. of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) announced yesterday that 21 additional license types are now available for licensure via the Department’s new online licensing system, CORE (Comprehensive Online Regulatory Environment). Click here to view the announcement, including a list of the newly launched license types. The Department said it will add several additional professions to CORE over the next several months as part of the Phase 2 process. While the transition to the new system will take place over six phases, the transition for healthcare professionals will occur over the first three phases. Based on information received by IHA, it is anticipated that the first three phases will be completed by fall 2025.

When fully implemented, the system, long advocated for by IHA and the hospital community, will eliminate the need for paper applications; give applicants more control over their materials; and help prevent the submission of deficient applications. Currently, only new applications for licensure are being accepted on CORE. Full implementation of CORE is scheduled for August 2026.

Clinical Supervision Resource for Behavioral Health Clinicians
A new clinical supervision resource was recently launched to support behavioral health clinicians on their path to certification or licensure in Illinois. Family Guidance Centers, Inc., partnered with Prevention First’s Opioid Training and Technical Assistance Center (OTTAC) to develop this support program, which includes clinical supervision with documentation from expert, licensed staff at no cost to participants.

With this program, OTTAC aims to expand the number of certified/licensed behavioral health professionals, especially in communities hardest hit by opioid overdoses, as well as address long-standing barriers to care in underserved communities. The Illinois Dept. of Human Services Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery announced this workforce resource using Illinois Opioid Remediation Funds. Contact Cindy Rivera at crivera@fgcinc.org for more information.