CDC on Friday said that romaine lettuce from Wendy's restaurants may be responsible for a "fast-moving" E. Coli outbreak, prompting the fast-food chain to pull the product as a "precautionary measure," in today's bite-sized hospital and health industry news from Arkansas, Georgia, and Tennessee.

• Arkansas: Walmart announced that it will join the Quality Care Collaborative (QCC)—an initiative aimed at bettering the quality of radiology services and enhancing value-based care initiatives. According to the program's sponsors, Covera Health and Nuance Communications, it is the first national program to join payers, providers, and self-insured employers to help improve the quality of radiology at scale. The program is supported by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). "We're excited about the collaboration between Covera and Nuance and the positive impact it can have on improving the quality of care for all, as well as improving health equity by increasing access to quality care in local communities," said Lisa Woods, Walmart's VP for physical and emotional well-being. (Mace, HealthLeaders Media, 8/19)

• Georgia: CDC on Friday said that romaine lettuce from Wendy's restaurants may be responsible for a "fast-moving" E. Coli outbreak that has hospitalized 10 people and made 37 sick. While the link between the outbreak and Wendy's lettuce has not been proven, 22 of 26 individuals interviewed by CDC reported eating at Wendy's locations in Michigan, Ohio, or Pennsylvania. The decision to pull the lettuce was a "precautionary measure," according to a statement from the fast-food chain. "We are fully cooperating with public health authorities on their ongoing investigation of the regional E. coli outbreak reported in certain Midwestern states," Wendy's said. "While the C.D.C. has not yet confirmed a specific food as the source of that outbreak, we are taking the precaution of removing the sandwich lettuce from restaurants in that region." (Oxenden, New York Times, 8/19; Albert, CBS News, 8/19)

• Tennessee: HCA Healthcare announced that Chuck Hall plans to retire from his position as the health system's national group president at the end of 2022, bringing his 36-year tenure to an end. "Chuck's career and expertise as an operator are unmatched, and his influence on our company extends well beyond hospital operations," said Sam Hazen, CEO of HCA Healthcare. "His leadership during many natural disasters, as well as his focus on better care processes and technology, helped ensure the safety and care of our colleagues and patients. We wish him all the best in retirement." HCA is currently conducting a search for Hall's successor. (Blackman, HealthLeaders Media, 8/19)