ALSO NOTED: Would more docs improve care quality?; MD drags patients to Board hearing; and much more...

> A The New York Times Op-Ed observes that pumping more doctors into the healthcare system doesn't necessarily improve quality of care. Op-Ed [1]

> Oklahoma's Dr. Robert Kale is in hot water with the Arkansas Medical Board after showing up at an Arkansas MD's board hearing with a crowd of well-wishers--including several of Kale's own patients. Kale had threatened to drop the patients if they didn't attend the hearing. His friend, Dr. Randeep Mann, had been accused of prescribing excessive amounts of narcotic pain relievers. Article [2]

> About four percent of recently done heart-defibrillator implant procedures generated complications, according to recent data gathered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. But which doctors were involved? CMS isn't telling. Article [3]

> A strike by nurses at New Jersey's Englewood Hospital and Medical Center continued this week. The two sides are at odds over the adequacy of current nurse staffing levels and proposed cuts to nurse pensions. The hospital has already terminated the nurses' health coverage, according to the union backing the strike. Article [4]

>  Do "best hospital" rankings like those recently issued by U.S. News & World Report really make a difference? Many in the industry would say "no," other than, perhaps, those working in the marketing department. But one blogger disagrees. Blog [5]

And Finally... An 83-year-old otolaryngologist pines for the good old days. Article [6]