Better OR communication can boost safety; Kewanee Hospital, OSF HealthCare to affiliate;

> The most common errors in safety-related behavior in the operating room stem from inadequate communication and teamwork, Infection Control Today reported. Using a surgical safety checklist to improve communication can lower perioperative mortality and morbidity. Article

> Pittsburgh insurer Highmark has won a preliminary injunction to block West Penn Allegheny Health System from seeking other potential buyers, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune Review. According to the ruling, Highmark did not breach its $475 million affiliation agreement with the health system. Article

> Patients who make $35,000 a year or less report better outcomes after knee replacement surgery than people who earn more, according to research by Mayo Clinic and the University of Alabama at Birmingham. The researchers say one explanation is that many lower-income patients delay surgery so their knees are often in worse condition, and they feel a more noticeable sense of improvement after the knee replacement. Statement

> In Illinois, Kewanee Hospital signed a letter of intent to affiliate with OSF HealthCare, the latter announced last week. Earlier this year, OSF Healthcare System called off plans to merge with another Illinois hospital rather than face a lengthy and costly challenge from the Federal Trade Commission. Announcement

And Finally… SUV thief gets a scaly surprise. Article