Many experts have expressed concern over GE Healthcare's contrast dye shortage, saying it "is probably one of the biggest risks for patient safety since COVID hit," in today's bite-sized hospital and health industry news from California, Massachusetts, and Tennessee.

• California: Alvarado Hospital Medical Center on Tuesday announced that Kenneth McFarland was appointed as its new CEO—a role he stepped into on April 18. McFarland brings 24 years of health care leadership experience to the medical center, which is a part of Prime Healthcare. Previously, McFarland served as CEO of Tenet Healthcare's Fountain Valley Regional Hospital and Medical Center and CEO of Providence Mission Hospital. (Gooch, Becker's Hospital Review, 5/19)

• Massachusetts: Experts have voiced concern over the GE Healthcare contrast dye shortage that resulted from the Covid-19 lockdowns in China. In particular, the American Hospital Association last week wrote a letter urging GE Healthcare to distribute supplies as needed throughout the shortage. In response, the company said it is "working to return to full capacity as soon as local authorities allow," and the plant is now back at 50% capacity, Bloomberg reports. According to Elliott Haut, a trauma surgeon who oversees quality and safety at the department of surgery at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, the shortage "is probably one of the biggest risks for patient safety since COVID hit." (Gleeson, Becker's Hospital Review, 5/19)

• Tennessee: Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) on Thursday named Alex Jahangir VP for business development. In the role, Jahangir will manage business development, with an emphasis on ambulatory surgery center strategy and the expansion of VUMC's trauma program. He will continue practicing as an orthopedic trauma surgeon while he maintains his other leadership roles, including executive medical director of the trauma patient care center. "I appreciate this opportunity to work with VUMC leadership, our business development team, and our regional and community partners to further advance VUMC's tremendous impact across the region," Jahangir said. (Ellison, Becker's Hospital Review, 5/19)