> The one-day nurses' strike at Washington Hospital Center last week cost the facility roughly $6 million, reports the Washington Post. The hospital had to hire 600 temporary nurses, enhance security and cover other costs during the strike and subsequent lockout, noted hospital officials. Article
> Texas had the highest rate of uninsured residents in 2010, with nearly 30 percent of Texans lacking health insurance, according to a new Gallup-Healthways poll. Massachusetts--where state law requires all adult residents to have health insurance--had the lowest rate of uninsured residents at 4.7 percent. Survey
> Federal officials are promoting plans for a strict anti-fraud campaign for Medicare, reports American Medical News. The measures consider newly enrolled medical equipment and home health vendors to be at high risk of committing Medicare fraud. Article
> Compensation for Canadian-based Grey Bruce Health Services CEO Maureen Solecki will be directly linked to her performance, reports the Sun Times. The GBHS board agreed last week that her pay package will be officially tied to meeting patient quality targets. Article
> Nursing vacancies dropped during the economic downturn, notes the Washington Post. Since the recession, some hospitals have eliminated vacancies and increased the number of full-time permanent nurses. Article
And Finally... Want to call in sick? Use the old crocodile bite excuse. Article