Past Contest Entries

Patients’ pain pumps fraught with problems

List date(s) this work was published or aired.

29-Jan-12

Provide a brief synopsis of the story or stories, including any significant findings.

Story showed that malfunctioning pain pumps are a common problem. A patient in a local hospital died when he was overdosed with one of these pumps, prompting a more in-depth look.

Explain types of documents, data or Internet resources used. Were FOI or public records act requests required? How did this affect the work?

Lawsuits, state inspection reports, research studies

Explain types of human sources used.

Hospital officials, FDA, researchers

Results:

N/A

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 follow-ups

Advice to other journalists planning a similar story or project.

Commonly used medical devices fail at surprisingly high rates.

Place:

Special Judges’ Citation

Year:

  • 2012

Category:

  • Investigative (small)

Affiliation:

The (Allentown, Pa.) Morning Call

Reporter:

Timothy Darragh

Links: