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The personal information of more than 500 patients at Chicago's Mercy Hospital & Medical Center has been potentially exposed, the hospital announced in recent days. The hospital recently notified 547 affected patients after discovering the breach in August. The breach occurred after an outside billing service for the hospital lost Mercy documents, according to the hospital. So far, Mercy has not received any reports of the information being accessed or used improperly. (Schencker, 10/18)

The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the Indian Health Service, a unit of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, are exploring the creation of a telehealth program for American Indians and Alaska Native children, the two organizations said Tuesday. As part of a memorandum of understanding, CHOP and the Indian Health Service, which services 2.2 million American Indians and Alaska Natives, will develop a pediatric telemedicine plan for the Navajo areas of Phoenix, Tuscon, and Albuquerque, all in Arizona. (Brubaker, 10/18)

Marshalltown’s hospital is struggling to stay afloat, after potential partners backed out of a plan to turn it into a for-profit venture. Central Iowa Healthcare has recently dismissed its chief executive officer, laid off 12 other employees and scrambled to replace emergency department physicians who quit. The hospital, formerly known as Marshalltown Medical and Surgical Center, had operating expenses of $79 million last year, but operating revenues of just $59 million, according to a recent audit report. (Leys, 10/18)

Methodist Health denies allegations that its hospitals routinely dock non-exempt nurses of pay for lunch breaks they never take during busy shifts. A nurse filed a collective action lawsuit in August, saying the system’s automatic meal deduction policy fails to properly compensate staff for hours they actually work. The hospital questioned the accuracy of the plaintiff’s “interpretation of the relevant facts” and asked that the charges be dropped in a 20-page response sent to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas last week. (Rice, 10/18)

A native Chicagoan who has spent his career in health care administration outside the Chicago area is returning home to run the Franciscan Health hospitals in Olympia Fields and Chicago Heights. Allan M. Spooner, 49, who grew up in Chicago's Chatham neighborhood and graduated from the former Mendel Catholic High School in Roseland, has been named the new president and chief executive officer at both south suburban hospitals. (Koeske, 10/18)

CHI St. Luke's Health hopes to significantly expand its footprint in the north Houston region with the acquisition of a physician group, a small hospital system, an ambulatory surgery system and two freestanding emergency room centers, officials announced Tuesday. More than 100 physicians from the Greater Houston Physicians Medical Association, one of the largest multispecialty physician groups in north Houston, will be folded into the CHI St. Luke's Health network starting Nov. 1. The agreement also includes 25 affiliated clinics and medical group locations, the hospital said. (Deam, 10/18)