Do No Harm: Hospital Care in Las Vegas
Prologue
There’s a running joke about hospitals here: “Where do you go for great health care in Las Vegas?”
“The airport.”
The implication is everyone knows hospital care in Southern Nevada is substandard.
The reality, however is that only a small circle of hospital officials, insurance executives, regulators and politicians have had access to meaningful information about the quality of hospitals in Las Vegas. Until now.
- Part One
- Part Two
- Part Three
- Part Four
- Part Five
Health care
can hurt you
Among life’s core assumptions is that hospitals bring healing.
But sometimes they bring harm.
A hidden epidemic
Las Vegas hospital officials say they are doing enough to protect patients from becoming infected with deadly bacteria. But hospitals are failing.
Patients at risk
under the knife
The Sun analysis of 2008 and 2009 records revealed 710 accidental punctures or lacerations — more than half during elective procedures. In 38 cases, the patient died in the hospital.
Why we suffer
Mediocre hospital care in the Las Vegas Valley, evidenced by thousands of preventable injuries, infections and deaths, can be traced to a few fundamental causes.
How to put patients first
Future Las Vegas hospital patients can be protected if doctors and hospitals commit to do no harm.
Source Documents
Examine the source documents with annotations by reporter Marshall Allen.
Multimedia Features
Sun photographer Leila Navidi and video journalist Trent Ogle bring the report to life in photos and video.
Advertisement
Interactive Features
Explore the data behind the reporting with interactive maps, graphics and charts.
Reader Stories
Listen to and read the personal stories we received from readers in response to the project, or share your own story.
Series Credits
- Reporters
- Marshall Allen
Alex Richards - Photographer
- Leila Navidi
- Video Journalist
- Trent Ogle
- Director of Visual Journalism
- Kristin Donaldson
- Copy Editors
- Linda Wrzesinski
Dave Mondt
Wade McAferty
Craig Peterson - Copy Desk Chief
- Ellen Wager
- Editorial Support
- Rebecca Clifford-Cruz
Nadine Guy - Illustrator
- Chris Morris
- Print Design Editor
- Rachel Perkins
- Senior Web Designer
- Danny DeBelius
- Interactive Producer
- Tyson Anderson
- Digital Projects Editor
- Levi Chronister
- Editorial Writer
- Matt Hufman
- Assistant Managing Editor
- Michael Squires
- Senior Editor for Print
- Tom Gorman
- Senior Editor for Digital
- Rob Curley
- Publisher and Editor
- Brian Greenspun
Follow the Sun