73% of health systems plan to self-insure for malpractice; Investigators begin unannounced inspection at Grady Memorial;

> Even though Health & Human Services only released the final rule on accountable care organizations (ACO) today, the Oregon Health Department is already developing its own ACO, report Kaiser Health News and NPR. However, Oregon's "coordinated care organizations" will be graded; factors may include the number of patients admitted to the ER and patients' average Body Mass Index. Article

> A former medical director of surgical services filed suit against Kern Valley Healthcare in California over wrongful termination, reports the Kern Valley Sun. After voting to terminate his contract earlier this year, the hospital board offered Skogerson a new performance-based contract that no longer required on call coverage seven days a week and reduced compensation for his role as surgical director. Article

> With more collaboration comes more risk. That's why 73 percent of health systems plan to self-insure against malpractice risks for their hospitals and physicians, according to a survey from Aon. "Our findings reflect that when hospitals team up with physicians, they are effectively doubling down on medical malpractice risk," Erik Johnson, author of the analysis and Health Care Practice leader for Aon Global Risk Consulting said in a statement. Report

> Nurses' aides, which have the most violent job in healthcare, may find solace in a new tool used to predict patients at risk for violence. Using the ten-point Aggressive Behaviour Risk Assessment Tool (ABRT), which was completed within 24 hours of admission, less than 1 percent of patients with zero rating became violent, compared with 41 percent of those with a rating of 2 percent or more. Press release

> Not long after a patient fell from an 11th story window at short-staffed Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, investigators--on behalf of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services--arrived unannounced Monday to conduct a follow-up survey, reports WABE. If violations are found, the hospital could lose its Medicare funding. Article

And Finally... Till death do they part: Couple dies in ICU holding hands. Article