We are pleased to spread the good news that Pro Publica Reporters are finalists has won the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service for their article regarding lax oversight in nursing. The report was credited to Tracy Weber and Charles Ornstein. One article was entitled, Dangerous Caregivers Not on the List.
The Pulitzer Price for Public Service is one of the foundation’s highest honors. Personally, I found the story informative and compelling, a must read for anyone in the healthcare industry. The article described lack of or shoddy oversight and the paucity of background checks regarding healthcare workers who are later discovered as convicted felons, sex offenders, and substance abusers, often stealing drugs from hospitals and healthcare facilities to accommodate their habits.
I have blogged on this issue numerous times. One such blog article was entitled, Suspect Caregivers Missed on Healthcare Sanctions Background Checks. I have found in my readings that California is not the only state where oversight for healthcare workers is lax, at best. There are any number of states where healthcare workers are finding employment as they have jumped from state to state to stay one step ahead of their background histories, which show disciplinary actions ranging from convicted felonies to patient abuse. What a great state for recruiting int he healthcare industry.
Anyway, I would like to applaud Weber and Ornstein for their efforts with this report. Good work, guys. And thanks to Pro Publica for its fine work as well.
