The IRE Resource Center is a major research library containing more than 23,250 investigative stories — both print and broadcast. These stories are searchable online or by contacting the Resource Center directly (573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org) where a researcher can help you pinpoint what you need. Browse or search the tipsheet section of our library below. Stories are not available for download but can be easily ordered by contacting the Resource Center:
Search results for "patients complaints" ...
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Operating Behind Closed Doors
" 'Operating Behind Closed Doors' illustrates the failures of Virginia's system for protecting patients from dangerous doctors by focusing on the last decade of the career of a Virginia Beach Surgeon, Dr. Robert G. Brewer. This doctor was permitted to practice at least 11 years after serious questions were raised about his competence, in spite of mounting complaints, complications and even deaths. His story exposes a system of private agencies, individuals and government authorities that is shrouded in secrecy, designed to protect livelihoods, not lives."
Tags: Dr. Robert G. Brewer; Virginia Beach; surgeon; patients; private agencies; medical community; medicine; doctors; death
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Suture Recalls
KTVT-TV examines a problem with potentially contaminated sutures used in surgeries all over the U.S. The investigation reports on the complaints of hundreds of people who believe they have been infected this way. The vicryl sutures, produced by Ethicon, a subsidiary of Johnson and Johnson, have been recalled and destroyed. "There was never a scientific test to prove whether or not they were contaminated," the program reports.
Tags: TAPE; TRANSCRIPT; FDA; doctors; patients; surgery; operations; sterilization; microorganisms; bacteria; class action lawsuit
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Patients don't get full story on doctors
San Francisco Chronicle reports on the lack of information about malpractice verdicts on the website of the Medical Board of California. The story reveals that the public database omits records on doctors' misdemeanors, remedial actions (like drug and alcohol treatment programs), malpractice settlements, various lawsuits, complaints, detailed information on formal discipline, etc. Consumers are required to write the Medical Board for detailed information, and often wait for weeks to get a response. Wallack points to three high-dollar verdicts against negligent doctors, which were not included in the state board's database.
Tags: San Diego's Center for Public Interest Law; physicians; licensing; incompetence; negligence
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Limited Solace: Managed-Care Firms Handling Mental Health Trigger Complaints
Drawing on the stories of mental health patients and psychiatrists, The Wall Street Journal reports that the managed behavioral care industry "has transformed the treatment of mental illness and substance abuse." These firms, contracted with health maintenance organizations to provide mental health care to their members, "sprang up in response to soaring costs for mental-health benefits." The largest such firm is Magellan Health Services Inc. "As Magellan has grown, so have complaints." Many HMOs and psychiatrists have pulled out of Magellan's "phantom network," while plaintiffs seeking class-action status are accusing the company of fraud.
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Nursing Homes of Shame
A New York Daily News investigation reveals "the abuse and neglect of nursing home patients" and exposes "conditions that cry out for reform." The analysis finds that "thousands of elderly patients across New York City are warehoused in understaffed nursing homes where they suffer from neglect, malnutrition, dehydration, abuse and - in some cases - premature death..." A three-part series run in December focuses on "aides with criminal backgrounds, growing patient-on patient abuse and a state health department unable to keep up with complaints or properly monitor the industry." An investigation preceding the series reveals that "private nursing home owners throughout the city are amassing personal fortunes ... from government programs for the poor and elderly."
Tags: FOIA; health care; poverty; elderly; sexual abuse; neglect; New York health department
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Criminals in Charge
The Denver post examines four suicides that occurred at a state mental health institute. Abusive employee reports led into findings of their criminal histories. Many of these employees were on work-release programs.
Tags: patient complaints; criminal background checks; mental hospitals
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No title (id: 12894)
WFTS-TV conducts a two-part investigation into doctors in the Tampa Bay area with extremely serious criminal or malpractice problems who are still practicing medicine. The series found that repeated prison terms related to a doctor's practice may not even revoke the privilege to practice medicine in Florida. Records on complaints about physicians are often kept secret so patients have no way of knowing their doctor's background. (April 27 & 28, 1995)
Tags: kalthoff Cochran Eck Prescription for trouble Contest entry Health care 33 pgs. TAPE
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patients at Risk
The Sun-Times investigates the process that patients must go through in order to file formal complaints against physicians, and finds that despite the extensive proceedure, the state of illinois rarely takes disiplinary action. Feb. 19, 1995
Tags: Secter; Patients at risk; Medical malpractice; Hospitals; 4 pages
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No title (id: 10186)
KDFW-TV (Dallas, Texas) investigates allegations of sexual abuse against a local physician, using techniques such as having a patient bring a hidden camera to an appointment and going to the state capital to confront a medical board which had ignored nine previous complaints, August 1992.
Tags: TX Oliver Tape only
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No title (id: 6658)
Desert News (Salt Lake City) reports on a 155-charge petition filed against a Utah physician; includes 42 complaints by patients and a discussion of how the review system favors fraudulent physicians, Dec. 8 - 9, 1989.
Tags: None