- sj-r.com/top-stories/x177090544/Medical-misdiagnoses-can-have-fatal-consequences
- sj-r.com/top-stories/x1696639000/Police-investigating-death-at-Lake-Springfield-area-home
List date(s) this work was published or aired.
26-Jun-11
Provide a brief synopsis of the story or stories, including any significant findings.
The issue of diagnostic errors in medical care is a significant problem but often is overlooked or given scant attention by physicians and hospitals. Because of confidentiality rules and a virtual code of silence among doctors, details of specific cases rarely come to light except in malpractice lawsuits. But The State Journal-Register was able to examine the recent case of Mary Reindl with the cooperation of her family and a physician who cared for her. The Reindl case showed how overconfidence and turf wars can jeopardize lives. The case also showed how a doctor bold enough to intervene in a diagnostic error — even when he did so to save a life — can face professional scrutiny and potential retribution. The package also included sidebars with tips for patients and families on how to avoid becoming the victim of diagnostic errors.
Explain types of documents, data or Internet resources used. Were FOI or public records act requests required? How did this affect the work?
Patient records were used to back up descriptions of the case of Mary Reindl.
Explain types of human sources used.
I interviewed the patient at the center of the story, as well as her adult son, who was her main caregiver. I also interviewed hospital officials, officials from Springfield Clinic, consumer advocates and doctors across the country who have studied the issue of diagnostic error.
Results:
Readers of The State Journal-Register, for the first time, were able to read about the real-world stresses and conflicts that can lead to diagnostic errors in their community. Readers also learned how whistle-blowers can be punished professionally and perhaps personally. Dr. Thomas Shanahan, who intervened to spot and correct a diagnostic error, was ostracized, and on Nov. 9, 2011, he committed suicide. The newspaper covered the suicide (bit.ly/shanahandeath), and though he left no suicide note, many friends have told the paper that he endured professional and personal turmoil for his involvement in the Mary Reindl case and his willingness to speak to the paper about the hospital and other doctors caring for Reindl.
Follow-up (if any). Have you run a correction or clarification on the report or has anyone come forward to challenge its accuracy? If so, please explain.
No corrections/clarifications have been published, and none has been requested. No one has challenged the accuracy of the story.
Advice to other journalists planning a similar story or project.
Attention to detail is important. Gaining trust from the family and doctors is pivotal.