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California’s hospitals are getting better at preventing patient infections, but the threat is still significant and nearly 20,000 infections were reported in 2015, according to new state data released Friday by the California Department of Public Health. From 2014 to 2015, 56 California hospitals demonstrated “significant improvement” in preventing certain infections, including ones in the blood and those resulting from surgery, according to the department’s report. (Ibarra, 12/19)

State officials will give potential contractors two extra weeks to submit bids to operate Osawatomie State Hospital but cautioned they might not receive any proposals they like. Tim Keck, interim secretary of the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services, on Monday told the Legislature’s Special Committee on Larned and Osawatomie State Hospitals that the department will extend the deadline to submit bids from Dec. 29 to Jan. 10, to give private contractors time to ask more questions. (Wingerter, 12/19)

nyone living in Tennessee can visit a Saint Thomas Health walk-in clinic without leaving their home. Saint Thomas Health On Demand, as of Friday, is an around-the-clock virtual clinic that people can use by smartphone, tablet or computer to get a diagnosis and treatment for many common issues, such as urinary tract infections, pink eye, sinus problems or colds. (Fletcher, 12/19)