1. Provide the title of your story or series and the names of the journalists involved.
One-hospital town by Jennifer Gordon.
2. List date(s) this work was published or aired.
Nov. 28, 2010.
3. Provide a brief synopsis of the story or stories, including any significant findings.
Thirty years ago, St. Joseph had two hospitals but has since gone down to only one. My article explores why St. Joseph decided to consolidate its medical facilities and the challenges a new hospital would have if it tried to come into the community. According to what I found, a new hospital would lower insurance premiums for residents but could not make enough of a profit off of a blue-collar, Medicare-heavy community.
4. Explain types of documents, data or Internet resources used. Were FOI or public records act requests required? How did this affect the work?
I used HealthGrades.com to compare St. Joseph's hospital, Heartland Regional Medical Center to other hospitals in towns with similar demographics. I also looked into the qualifications Missouri's Certificate of Need Committee looks at before it approves a new medical complex.
5. Explain types of human sources used.
I spoke with Heartland's chief financial officer who sat on the board to consolidate St. Joseph's two hospitals in the '80s, a doctor from a competing urgent care center about the demographics of the community and an independent consulting firm, Research and Planning Consultants that oversees new hospital development about the costs of a brand new facility.
6. Results (if any).
Although nothing came directly from article, one month later St. Joe Urgent Care, the Heartland Regional Medical Center competitor took a buy out from a CVS pharmacy that wanted to use its facility. St. Joe Urgent Care has yet to reopen in town.
7. 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.
8. Advice to other journalists planning a similar story or project.
The independent consulting firm, Research and Planning Consultants, gave me a good overall feel for what's happening in hospital construction nationwide. HealthGrades.com and the American Hospital Association's data were also helpful in the reporting process.