IHA Daily Briefing: February 5

New Gallagher Compensation Survey: Participation Deadline Is Feb. 20
Access reliable, comprehensive compensation and benefits market data by participating in Gallagher Surveys' Illinois Regional Healthcare Compensation & Benefits Survey, endorsed by IHA Human Capital Services and 10 state hospital association across the Midwest.

IHA members have until Feb. 20 to be part of the new survey offering, which can provide vital insights into physician compensation to aid in recruiting and retaining top talent. The regional survey will also include compensation information for hospital and health system management and non-management positions, as well as details on employee benefits.

Participating organizations will receive:

• Aggregated compensation and benefits data for Illinois and the Midwest;

• Benchmarks for over 425 healthcare positions; and

• PDF reports, an Excel database and online custom-cut tool for tailored reports across multiple states.

The survey window is January-February, with data verification and analysis in March, compensation results released in April, and benefits results released in May. Click here to learn more about the survey, available at significantly reduced participation fees.

To receive a participation agreement, contact Gary Drain, Assistant Vice President, Human Capital Performance, at [email protected] or 630-276-5566.

REGISTER: Leadership Webinar on Magnetic Communication Feb. 17
How can you become a better communicator? Mastering this essential skill will be the topic of a Feb. 17 webinar offered to IHA members through the South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations.

The webinar, "Magnetic Communication," from noon-1 p.m. CT, is the second session in a three-part webinar series. It will cover:

• The Four Movements of Communication: Words, Speeches, Gestures and Actions;

• Communication that inspires alignment and reduces misunderstanding;

• Techniques to motivate staff and enhance patient-centered culture; and

• Magnetic communication that unifies people during change.

Erik Therwanger, an international speaker and bestselling author, will lead the session drawing on his background as United States Marine, caregiver, and executive business leader. During the Feb. 17 webinar, he'll address why leaders must be intentional in how they speak, act and engage with others.

The final session, "Leading Through Chaos " will be on March 17. Registration is $195 per webinar per hospital, which includes an unlimited number of connections within the same location. Webinar recordings will be available to registrants for 60 days after each session. Register today.

Staff contact: Bridget McCarte

FDA Safety Communication: Risk Associated with Blood Collection Tubes
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently issued a safety communication to alert healthcare providers and laboratory staff that there have been reports of false positive results occurring when using ASP Global's RAM Scientific SAFE-T-FILL Micro Capillary Blood Collection tubes with the LeadCare Testing Systems. These tests may overestimate blood lead levels and give inaccurate results when processing capillary blood samples collected in these ASP Global's RAM Scientific SAFE-T-FILL tubes. The FDA is recommending that ASP Global RAM Scientific SAFE-T-FILL tubes not be used with the LeadCare Testing Systems while this issue is being investigated, as false test results may delay an accurate diagnosis and may lead to improper patient management and unnecessary follow-up tests, increased stress for patients and families, and disruptions in care.

FDA Announces New Approach to 'No Artificial Colors' Claims
Today, the Food and Drug Administration announced a new approach to support its effort to transition away from the use of artificial petroleum-based colors in the food supply, to alternatives derived from natural sources. Companies will now have flexibility to claim products contain "no artificial colors" when the products do not contain petroleum-based colors. In the past, companies were generally only able to make such claims when their products had no added color whatsoever, whether derived from natural sources or otherwise.

Additionally, the agency today also approved beetroot red, a new color option, and approved the expanded use of spirulina extract, an existing color additive derived from a natural source. This brings the total number of new food color options approved under the current administration to six.

Early Primary Voting Begins Today
Early voting opens today for the March 17 primary throughout most of Illinois, outside of Cook County. Early voting will begin on Feb. 12 in downtown Chicago and Feb. 18 or March 2 in suburban Cook County. Early voting for all jurisdictions ends on March 16. A Capitol News Illinois election guide provides a rundown of key dates, information on how to register and vote early, and a resources that can connect voters with their local election authority.

Illinois Respiratory Disease Surveillance Data