Participant User Guide Assists Hospitals That Signed State’s Data Sharing Agreement
What’s happening: The Center for Data Insights and Innovation (CDII) has released a Participant User Guide for hospitals that have signed the California Data Exchange Framework’s (Dxf) Data Sharing Agreement. The guide explains the information exchange process of health and social services information and outlines how requests for information between Dxf participants — including admission, discharge, and transfer notifications — should occur.
What else to know: CDII also released version 1.2 of the DxF Policy and Procedure “Data Elements to be Exchanged” document, which aligns the state requirement for exchanging health and social services information with the U.S. Core Data for Interoperability information required by the federal Office of the National Coordinator beginning Jan. 1, 2026. The same DxF Policy and Procedure version 1.1 document remains effective through Dec. 31.
2025 Behavioral Health Care Symposium
Registration opens June 3, 2025.
The 2025 Behavioral Health Care Symposium returns to Sacramento!
2025 Disaster Planning Conference
The 2025 Disaster Planning Conference will be in Sacramento this year. It’s sure to be as spectacular as ever.
HCAI Webinar to Cover Seismic Grant Program for Small and Rural Hospitals
What’s happening: The Department of Health Care Access and Information’s (HCAI) Office of Facility Loan Insurance is conducting a webinar on Feb. 20 from 10 a.m. to noon (PT) to discuss a seismic grant program for small, rural, and critical access hospitals.
What else to know: The webinar will cover eligibility criteria, additions to the program due to Assembly Bill 869 (2024), and the application process. Registration is open.
2025 HR Conference Offers Continuing Education Credits
What’s happening: In partnership with the Hospital Association of Southern California, CHA will host the two-day 2025 HR Conference in Long Beach, taking place Feb. 19 from noon to 5 p.m. and Feb. 20 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
What else to know: The conference will cover topics relevant to human resource (HR) professionals, and professional continuing education (CE) credits are available to registrants who complete certain requirements. Registration is open for CHA members.
CDPH Issues Regulatory Relief Instructions for Hospitals Impacted by Los Angeles Fires
What’s happening: On Jan. 21, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) released two All Facilities Letters (AFLs), AFL 25-02 and AFL 25-03, intended for hospitals and skilled-nursing facilities (SNFs) impacted by the Los Angeles fires.
What else to know: The AFLs issue instructions for regulatory relief and explain the process for program flexes, including staffing waiver requests.
CDPH Releases Updated Return to Work Guidance for Health Care Personnel with Respiratory Viral Infections
What’s happening: On Jan. 10, the California Department of Public Health released updated Interim Work Exclusion Guidance that details when health care personnel with COVID-19, influenza, and other acute respiratory viral infections may return to work.
What else to know: The guidance, announced in an All Facilities Letter, applies regardless of whether diagnostic testing for viral pathogens is performed or the results of such testing is confirmed. This guidance does not apply to novel viral pathogens, including avian influenza, for which other public health guidance is available.
HHS Proposes Updates to HIPAA Security Rule
What’s happening: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) proposed revisions to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Security Rule aim to strengthen cybersecurity protections for electronic protected health information (ePHI).
What else to know: Comments on the proposed rule are due by March 7.
CHA Releases Summary of New Hospital Bed Tracking System
What’s happening: The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) received the authority and funding to implement a real-time hospital bed capacity system through Assembly Bill 177. CDPH plans to work with the Hospital Association of Oregon to implement the Healthcare Capacity System (HCS), developed by its affiliate, Apprise
What else to know: CDPH selected HCS after an extensive search. The state’s goal is to use this data to monitor hospital surge and system capacity, understand regional needs, develop policies, and position resources appropriately
CHA to Host 2025 HR Conference
What’s happening: CHA has partnered with the Hospital Association of Southern California to host the 2025 HR Conference in Long Beach, taking place on Feb. 19 from noon to 5 p.m. and Feb. 20 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
What else to know: The conference will cover topics relevant to human resource (HR) professionals, including recruitment and retention strategies, reasonable accommodation best practices, wage and hour compliance, and workplace investigations. Registration is open for CHA members.