> Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue has circumvented the state attorney general, appointing a pro bono special attorney general to allow the state to join the multi-state lawsuit seeking to stop the federal government from implementing the health reform law's individual insurance mandate. Article
> Two hospitals owned by Sutter Health in Sacramento, Calif., each must pay administrative penalties of $25,000 levied by the California Department of Public Health for putting patients into immediate jeopardy of serious harm or death, reports the Sacramento Business Journal. Article
> The sale of a nonprofit hospital to a for-profit company is not business as usual. Issues that have to be taken into consideration include a relatively complex legal approval process, community response to the sale and the sentiment of the nonprofit's board, according to an article by John Harris, principal at DGA Partners, for the Healthcare Financial Management Association. Article
> Three materials central to the production of most healthcare products--cotton, plastic and oil--will see price jumps over the next 12 months as the international economy picks up speed, the value of the dollar increases and demand outpaces supply, predicts the healthcare alliance Premier Inc. in Charlotte, N.C. Consequently, annual market inflation rates will increase an average of 1.6 percent to 4.6 percent across categories such as cardiovascular services, facilities, imaging and nursing. Press release
> Turnover hurting efficiency? The Johnson & Johnson Campaign for Nursing's Future has released a free interactive training program to help new nurses prepare for real-world work experiences. Website
And Finally... It's a good thing hospital staff don't feel this way. Article