ALSO NOTED: Bird flu pandemic risk rising; Los Angeles hospitals struggle with excess demand; and much more...

> Experts are warning that the risk of a bird flu pandemic is rising. FierceBioResearcher

> Los Angeles hospitals are struggling mightily to cope with excess demand created by the closure of King-Harbor Medical Center. While it was going to reopen in February 2009, some now fear that the planned re-opening will be delayed for years. Article

> Kaiser Permanente has put the finishing touches on the outpatient phase of its costly electronic medical records project. FierceHealthIT

> Iowa nurses should get a raise with the state's hospitals getting a 1 percent boost in Medicaid reimbursement. Article

And Finally...  This guy performed a tracheotomy on himself without anesthesia--twice. Article