REGISTER: Webinar on Tech-enabled Staffing Solutions Is Sept. 29
The role of technology in healthcare is advancing rapidly, leading to new ways to address challenges facing hospital leaders, including persistent concerns in staffing and staff management. A complimentary webinar from
IHA Strategic Partner Medical Solutions will examine the role of technology in driving innovation across staffing challenges.
The
Sept. 29 webinar, “The Digital Staffing Revolution: How Technology Is Transforming Staffing as We Know It,” will cover innovative tools that strengthen flex work programs, enhance recruitment and retention, and prepare hospitals and health systems for what’s ahead in healthcare staffing. The one-hour webinar will start at noon CT.
Led by Medical Solutions’ Chief Client Officer, Karin Selfors-Thomann, the program will provide actionable insights to strengthen your workforce strategy and position your organization for long-term success.
Register today.
Medical Solutions, an IHA Strategic Partner since 2018, helps streamline hospital and health system staffing processes to control costs and improve performance. See IHA’s Medical Solutions
flyer.
IHA Stresses Hospitals, Health Systems Face Challenges Due to Medicaid Cuts
Healthcare leaders recently gathered for a panel discussion hosted by Health News Illinois to address the anticipated changes to the Medicaid program under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and its potential impact on hospitals and healthcare organizations across the state.
IHA’s Senior Vice President and General Counsel Karen Harris provided opening remarks for the IHA-sponsored event, emphasizing the critical role Medicaid plays in Illinois communities.
“Hundreds of thousands of people in our state will lose their healthcare coverage as a result of this bill,” Harris said. “As I work with hospitals’ General Counsels and attorneys across the state, including those serving our most vulnerable communities, the challenge is clear – figuring out how to remain compliant within new regulatory frameworks, while continuing to prioritize patient outcomes in these challenging times.”
IHA President and CEO A.J. Wilhelmi later joined the panel to highlight how hospitals are responding to these challenges.
“These cuts are deep and dramatic,” said Wilhelmi. Wilhelmi noted that hospitals are evaluating their options, making necessary adjustments to prepare, and continuing to advocate for their communities.
“Certainly at the federal level, we’re going to try to do everything we can to mitigate or delay these cuts. We’re going to continue to work with the Governor and the General Assembly on key issues to drive revenues to hospitals and (federally qualified health centers) like the 340B legislation that we have pending in the House of Representatives. We’re going to have to be very diligent and vigilant in working together with other provider groups across the continuum to make sure that hospitals and other providers have the resources they need to keep those services and jobs intact,” he added.
Other panelists included Elizabeth Whitehorn, Director of the Illinois Dept. of Healthcare and Family Services; Ashley Snavely, CEO of the Illinois Health Care Association; Jill Hayden, CEO of the Illinois Association of Medicaid Health Plans; Stephanie Altman, Of Counsel and former Director of Healthcare Justice and Senior Director of Policy at the Shriver Center on Poverty Law; and Ollie Idowu, CEO of the Illinois Primary Health Care Association.
AHRQ Safety Program for HAI Prevention Is Recruiting for CAUTI Cohort
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is recruiting adult intensive care units (ICUs) and non-ICUs to participate in a free nine-month program to reduce catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) rates in acute care hospitals. Recruitment is open to adult critical care units, wards and step-down units. Acute care hospitals with a minimum of 50 beds and any type of electronic health record system are eligible.
Participants in the “AHRQ Safety Program for HAI Prevention: CAUTI” will receive expert consultation and tools to promote infection prevention procedures and patient safety culture; learn how to enhance teamwork and communication; and receive regular benchmarking reports comparing progress with similar units. Participants will also receive continuing education (CEU/CME) credits.
Click here for more information about the program and to sign up for an upcoming informational webinar. The next webinars of the series are scheduled for Oct. 3 and Oct. 28, and the webinars continue through January. The program will kick off in February 2026.
To support hospital members with their commitment to quality and safety efforts, IHA’s Institute for Innovations in Care and Quality is advancing person-centered healthcare in Illinois through
evidence-based initiatives that can measurably improve patient safety and strengthen quality healthcare, including the prevention of healthcare acquired infections. For questions about our programs and resources please
contact IHA.
FDA: Do Not Use Unauthorized Devices for Measuring Blood Pressure
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has
issued a warning to consumers, patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers to raise awareness about the risks related to using unauthorized devices that claim to measure or estimate blood pressure. Many blood pressure devices currently sold over the counter do not have FDA marketing authorization, meaning the FDA has not evaluated the safety and effectiveness of those devices. FDA recommends looking for appropriate FDA-authorized devices.
FDA said inaccurate blood pressure measurements can lead to errors in diagnosing hypertension or hypotension, which may result in delayed treatment or lack of treatment. This can lead to patient harms, such as stroke, heart attack, heart failure, kidney failure, cognitive decline and early death. Because high blood pressure often has no physical symptoms, accurate measurements are critical to preventing serious complications.
Healthcare providers are encouraged by the FDA to review FDA’s recommendations for consumers and caregivers and be prepared to talk to patients about the risks associated with the use of unauthorized blood pressure devices.
