List date(s) this work was published or aired.
12-May-11
Provide a brief synopsis of the story or stories, including any significant findings.
Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital, Southwest Virginia’s only Level 1 Trauma center and the region’s largest hospital, had a shortage of surgeons with specific expertise. That shortage meant the hospital didn’t have the right surgeons available to meet state requirements for maintaining its Level I trauma status.
Explain types of documents, data or Internet resources used. Were FOI or public records act requests required? How did this affect the work?
A FOIA request was filed with the Virginia Department of Health seeking inspection records and other information related to the trauma program at the hospital. The request was denied because the law exempts trauma center inspections from FOIA. However, the request led me to people who were able to guide me on what questions to ask the hospital. By focusing on the shortages of certain surgeons I was able to use public records defining the requirements for Level 1 trauma centers that specified what type of surgeons have to be available to draw out that the hospital was not meeting those requirements. The hospital was then willing to discuss the situation.
Explain types of human sources used.
Doctors, hospital leaders, public health officials and EMS personnel
Results:
The story managed to change the hospital’s public approach to addressing the trauma center’s situation. For months the hospital sought to keep it quiet and denied that there was a problem. After the story published, the hospital continued to be open in speaking about its progress to recruit the needed surgeons and we kept checking back with on the issue.
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 or challenges to the accuracy. I have written several other stories as agreements were reached to cover the needed surgical specialties.
Advice to other journalists planning a similar story or project.
If a FOIA request is denied keep working other angles to get the story.