Cutting unneeded transfusions saved health system $1M; Vehicle break-in risked patient info;

> Mount Sinai Medical Center and Richmond University Medical Center, both in New York, may soon be added to the growing list of hospital mergers, according to the Staten Island North Shore. Once affiliated, the two hospitals will offer some shared clinical services but keep their finances separate. The deal, pending final approval from the state Health Department, is expected to close by the first quarter of 2012. Article

> A vehicle break-in on Oct. 21 risked the personal information of 650 hearing aid patients, Medcenter One announced last week. The theft included hearing aid parts and equipment, a laptop, and a bag containing 11 internal paper forms to process hearing aid patient charges. The Bismarck, N.D.-based health system said the bag was recovered days later. Press release

> Rising costs and unnecessary care led Maryland-based Bon Secours Health System to give fewer blood transfusions during heart surgeries, reports USAToday. The move has proved successful, as the health system saved $1.1 million over three years and saw the complication rate and length of stay drop as well. Article

> The New York's department of health is looking into the new governance structure of bankrupt Peninsula Hospital Center, reports Crain's New York. The inquiry follows a Nov. 7 Crain's article which questioned whether Revival Acquisition Group has taken control of the hospital rather than only investing in it. Article (reg. req.)

> Reinforcing his spot on the 10 Notorious Health Execs of 2011 list, Roosevelt Hairston Jr., the former CEO of Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, was sentenced to 48 months in prison last week for embezzling $1.7 million from the institution, reports the Philadelphia Business Journal. He also agreed to pay the hospital $1.7 million in restitution and up to $1 million to the federal government for tax obligations. Article

And Finally... A hospital gives Santa his job back. Article