Disappointed in handling of story on alleged abuse

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June 19, 2010

Anonymous The Union-Recorder The Union-Recorder Sat Jun 19, 2010, 08:00 AM EDT

MILLEDGEVILLE — On behalf of Oconee Regional Medical Center, I am writing to express my disappointment with The Union-Recorder’s handling of a story carried in last Thursday’s (June 10th) edition regarding allegations that a patient was abused by a nurse at our hospital.

The information was taken from a police report and was in the crime digest section but was presented with a headline and reporter’s byline to make it appear as though it was a story investigated by the reporter, rather than unsubstantiated, one-sided information.

Given the U-R’s presentation of the information, I would have expected the paper to have contacted the hospital for a response, yet I can find absolutely no evidence that anyone from The Union-Recorder made such an effort. Fairness and balanced reporting are basic tenants of journalism, and it is disturbing that this information was presented as a story and allowed to run without such professionalism in practice.

The headline, in fact, referenced the allegations were against a nurse, when that was not the case, so even the information as presented was incorrect and misleading.

ORMC immediately investigated this matter when it was brought to our attention, as we do with all complaints or issues. Upon a thorough review, it was determined that the allegations were unsubstantiated.

In addition, this matter will be reviewed by the Milledgeville Police, and if any follow-up is needed, it will be handled appropriately through their department.

This information was in a public record, and while I have no issue with the paper reporting the area’s law enforcement activity to its readers, the manner in which this was sensationalized and presented was inappropriate.

The policies of the paper should be given a thorough review regarding the crime digest because inattention to details, misleading formats and inaccurate statements can do irreparable harm.

ORMC takes the care of its patients very seriously, and we are committed to serving each patient with compassion and dignity. To allege abuse is one of the worst possible accusations that can be levied against those whose life’s work is their commitment to their patients.

I want our community to know that the physicians, nurses and support staff at ORMC are here to provide the very best healthcare possible. Thursday’s reporting in The Union-Recorder has given this dedicated and hardworking staff an undeserved black eye.

Jean Aycock

President & CEO

Oconee Regional Medical Center

EDITOR’S NOTE: The information contained in the Thursday, June 10, Crime Digest article was taken from a Milledgeville Police report, which stated that a nurse was involved in the alleged incident. As with all of our articles that appear under the Crime Digest header, the information was taken directly from the report. Our Crime Digest policy, which appears in every edition of The Union-Recorder states: “these reports do not reflect guilt or innocence.” We periodically review all of our editorial policies in an effort to ensure they effectively work toward our goal of upholding professional, journalistic integrity and fairness. Our policies on reporting Crime Digest news are subject to the same level of review. We will continue to make every effort to ensure that all of our editorial policies uphold those standards.

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