IHA Daily Briefing: October 27

REGISTER: IDPH to Lead IHA Antimicrobial Stewardship Webinar Nov. 20

Every year, about eight in 10 Americans are prescribed an antibiotic, with at least 30% of usage considered unnecessary, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These essential drugs can lead to hospital-associated infections caused by antimicrobial-resistant germs.

A complimentary IHA webinar, "Stewardship in Action: Antibiotic Awareness Week and Honor Roll Recognition," on Nov. 20 will feature experts from the Illinois Dept. of Public Health (IDPH) discussing initiatives that hospital leaders and staff can adopt to curb the spread of resistant germs. These included the PALASE Collaborative focusing on hospitals and long-term care facilities and the CHARM Project offering tools and resources to hospitals with outpatient sites.

Held during Antibiotic Awareness Week, Nov. 18-24, the webinar will also spotlight the successful efforts of Illinois hospitals in addressing antimicrobial resistance. IDPH will announce the hospitals receiving the Antimicrobial Stewardship Collaboration Distinction award and which made the 2026 Acute Care Antimicrobial Stewardship Honor Roll. The honor roll reflects efforts to implement CDC's core elements of hospital antibiotic stewardship programs, which IDPH says less than 10% of hospitals have reported.

The session, from 10-11 a.m. CT, is designed for pharmacists, quality improvement leaders, patient safety and risk management leaders, CNOs, and CMOs. There is no fee to attend. Registrants will receive the webinar recording. Register today.

Staff contact: Jenny Winkler

DEADLINE TOMORROW: RHTP Technology Innovation Grant Funding Info. Due Oct. 28

As the Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network (ICAHN) moves forward with the next phase of the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) Technology Innovation initiative, ICAHN is seeking information on important assessment activities that will help eligible rural hospitals identify technology needs, strengthen cybersecurity, and prepare for future funding opportunities.

Eligible rural hospitals must complete a brief hospital information form by Wednesday, Oct. 28, by 5 p.m. CT to collect the basic hospital and contact information needed to coordinate upcoming assessment activities. Click hereto access the form. Only one form should be submitted per hospital.

ICAHN recently hosted a virtual information session outlining the Technology Innovation project. If you were unable to attend, the webinar recording and presentation slide deck are now available here.

REMINDER: HFS Meeting on RHTP, Hospital Transformation Grant Oct. 29

The Illinois Dept. of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) is hosting an Oct. 29 meeting for awardees and grantees who have finalized, or who are in the process of finalizing agreements, for the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), Hospital Transformation Planning Grant, CFSA #478-00-3979. To support next steps in grant implementation, regarding use of the RHTP Hospital Transformation Template Package in particular, HFS will be holding a kick-off meeting on Oct. 29 from noon-1 p.m. CT. To register for this event, please click here.

IDPH to Host Infection Prevention and Control Office Hours

The Illinois Dept. of Public Health (IDPH) has announced it will host monthly infection prevention and control office hours on the second Tuesday of every month from 1-2 p.m. CT. Click hereto register for the virtual sessions, which offer a forum to bring questions, receive practice support and resources, and connect with other experienced infection preventionists on ways to prevent healthcare-associated infections, strengthen your infection prevention programs, and address antimicrobial resistance. The office hours are intended for infection preventionists, nurses, administrators, patient safety experts, antimicrobial stewardship specialists and public health professionals. Access more information here, including the 2026-2027 infection prevention and control office hours schedule.

Leading Health Groups Redefine Heart Health for Girls and Women

Yesterday, the American Heart Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine released new guidance the organizations say redefines heart health in girls and women. A three-part series was published in the journal Circulation, defining the new female life stages; providing clinical guidance for the prevention, detection, and management of cardiovascular disease; and identifying the systems needed to deliver care across life stages. The multi-society compendium brings together hormonal, psychosocial, and cardiovascular health to recognize risk earlier and coordinate preventive care sooner. Click hereto read the three-part series and access additional resources and patient information.

Illinois Respiratory Disease Surveillance Data

The Infectious Respiratory Disease Surveillance Dashboard from the Illinois Dept. of Public Health (IDPH) provides the latest data on hospital visits, seasonal trends, lab test positivity and demographic data. IDPH also tracks COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus information through the Illinois Wastewater Surveillance System dashboard.

Briefly Noted

Each month in Illinois, hundreds of children around the state are found to have elevated levels of lead in their blood, which can lead to developmental and learning difficulties and other health issues. In response, this week the Illinois Dept. of Public Health (IDPH) is observing National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, reflecting the state's recent move to implement universal lead testing, which took effect July 1, 2026.

Leading the News

Illinois DCFS official improperly approved $1.4 million in extra pay for employees, inspector general says

Chicago Tribune

The top human resources official at the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services approved $1.4 million in extra pay for employees that state rules did not allow, including nearly $52,000 for herself, according to a newly released investigation from the state Office of the Executive Inspector General.

250+ hospitals commit to healthier food

Becker's Hospital Review

More than 250 hospitals across 28 states have signed HHS' pledge to provide more nutritious food, the federal health agency announced Oct. 26.

Nurses' daily AI use doubles - 7 ways they're using it

Becker's Hospital Review

The share of nurses who use AI multiple times a day at work doubled in a year, from 16% to 32%, according to Wolters Kluwer's 2026 Future Ready Healthcare survey.

6 notes on G155E, the mutation fueling an earlier flu season

Becker's Hospital Review

A single mutation in the H1N1 influenza virus - G155E - is emerging as the defining feature of a flu season that has arrived months ahead of schedule and may slip past some people's immunity, researchers told Nature, CNN and Today.