> New Mexico's Gerald Champion Regional Medical Center settled 80 malpractice claims for more than $33 million, now emerging from bankruptcy protection, the Associated Press reported. Patients alleged that two fake doctors used cement during spinal procedures, which cracked into pieces, causing patient harm. Article
> Two other hospitals, UPMC Presbyterian in Pittsburgh and Arizona Heart Hospital in Phoenix, fired the medical technician who allegedly started a hepatitis C outbreak at Exeter Hospital, drawing questions about his work history and accountability of the hospitals, The Union Leader reported. David Kwiatkowski worked at as many as 12 hospitals in at least eight states in recent years. Article
> The Leonard J. Chabert Medical Center in Louisiana will have to close two operating rooms and eliminate 17 supporting positions, thanks to budget cuts revealed Friday, the Daily Comet reported. The medical center, hit by Medicaid cuts, says it does not see the layoffs and OR closings as a long-term fix and will look into strategic public-private partnerships. Article
> Hospitals provided $1.4 billion in community benefits in Iowa, according to the Iowa Hospital Association. Bad debt and Medicare and Medicaid losses contributed to $624.9 million of the total community benefit. Report
And Finally… Patient vomits two live lizards in hospital bed. Article