State blocks access to public hospital complaints

Hospital complaints that were once public are no longer accessible in Virginia. Ordered by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the Virginia Department of Health pulled the records after the Associated Press in October found inconsistencies in a report about a case at Inova Fairfax Hospital, the AP reported. The state released two different versions of a report about the care of patient Sharon Van Putten, who died shortly after leaving the hospital. Family members alleged the hospital committed surgical errors, neglect that led to bedsores and illegal use of restraints, although Inova denied wrongdoing. Officials didn't comment on the change in record availability. Article