ALSO NOTED: USC transplant program in trouble; HealthSouth CFO's punishment too mild?; and much more...

> The Los Angeles Times reports that yet another transplant program--this time at USC University Hospital--is in trouble. Analysis of hospital statistics reveals that the USC liver transplant program's mortality rates are twice the national average. As FierceHealthcare readers already know, USC is just one of a growing number of hospitals facing transplant program problems. Report

> A federal appeals court in Atlanta has thrown the sentence for former HealthSouth CFO Michael Martin. The court found the recommended seven-day sentence too short. Article (WSJ sub. req.)

> Chutes & Ladders: HCA has named VA undersecretary of health Jonathan Perlin to the spot of senior vice president of quality and chief medical officer. Perlin has resigned from his position at the VA. Report

> According to one report, 79 percent of physicians encourage patients to use the Internet for medical information. Most often, they recommend WebMD as a reputable online source. Release

> Regulators in South Carolina have denied Presbyterian Healthcare's attempt to block Tenet's Piedmont Medical Center of Rock Hill to build a 100-bed hospital. Report

> Behrman Capital has sold Tandem Healthcare to JER Partners and Formation Capital for $620 million. Florida-based Tandem owns or manages 77 facilities in 12 states. Report

> North Carolina's Medicaid program actually spent $350 million from 2005 to 2006, less than originally anticipated. The state credits Medicare Part D for the savings. Article

> The American Society for Healthcare Engineering is educating members on methods to reduce energy waste. The project is expected to save $65 million in energy costs in the first year alone. Report

And Finally... How can a three-year-old tell a doctor how much pain he's in on a scale from one to five? Children have difficulty describing their pain levels, but a Phoenix Children's Hospital program has found a way around that problem. Report

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