> As Massachusetts cuts more psychiatric beds, mental health patients are forced to flood hospital emergency rooms, reports the Patriot Ledger. Some of the facilities had to convert conference rooms to handle the surge in patients. Article
> New legislation awaits the Idaho governor's signature that would require doctors who object to a patient's end-of-life wishes to make a good-faith effort to refer the patient to another physician willing to provide the treatment, reports CNBC. Article
> Infections caused by contaminated IV bags at six Alabama hospitals has led to nine patient deaths and an additional 10 patients sickened, WHEC reports. The bag-maker, Birmingham-based Meds IV, has discontinued production. State and federal regulators are investigating. Article
> Thanks to a donation from the founder of Slim-Fast, the Mayo Clinic is building a wellness facility for patients, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune. It will "allow a patient to have an intense and comprehensive look at health risk and conditions, and custom-tailor a program that they'll experience for two or three days, or more," said Mayo's medical director of disease prevention and health promotion. Article
> A shortage of primary-care physicians in Central Minnesota--part of a nationwide trend--is resulting in significant wait times for patients to get in for a visit, reports the St. Cloud Times. It could take new patients at CentraCare Clinic up to 18 months to see a doctor. Article
And Finally... Laughter really is the best medicine when it comes to high blood pressure. Article