The tabloid New York Post often targets New York City Health + Hospitals, citing anonymous sources and painting a bleak picture of the health system's operations. In its latest story about NYC Health + Hospitals, the tabloid published a story alleging Coney Island Hospital put pediatric patients in danger. Now, the health system is speaking out.
A May 8 story in the New York Post alleged dangerous conditions in the hospital, with an anonymous physician detailing careless work and incompetence among clinical staff. The story has an anonymous byline, and is from a single, nameless pediatrician who allegedly spent three years as a resident at Coney Island Hospital.
According to a statement from NYC Health + Hospitals, the health system has no evidence to confirm any of the incidences detailed in the Post story, or whether the physician actually worked at the hospital, because of the anonymity of the story.
"The anonymous, personal memoir published in a tabloid…is full of holes and absurd claims," said NYC Health + Hospitals in the statement.
Additionally, Ramanathan Raju, MD, president and CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals, sent a memo to the system's staff saying he is "deeply saddened" by the Post's allegations.
"I am very proud of the work you do every day and will not stand quietly while one destructive anonymous source attacks your honor and commitment to our patients," Dr. Raju wrote. "Let us not be distracted by misguided attempts to tear down the essential work of the public hospital system. Instead, let's remain united in our resolve to serve our patients with excellence."
NYC Health + Hospitals has often been the subject of the Post's stories, most often in a negative light. In March, the tabloid published a story regarding the health system's transition to Epic's EHR, saying the system was pushing forward with implementation even though the hospitals would be putting patient safety at risk by going live at that point in time. In a previous interview with Becker's Hospital Review, Dr. Raju refuted those claims and said patient safety is always the top priority at the health system.
"I can't prevent people from writing whatever they feel when there's no backup or any factual information. I can't do anything about it," Dr. Raju said.
In his memo to NYC Health + Hospitals staff, Dr. Raju signed off by saying, "Coney Island Hospital — We Are With You."
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NYC Health + Hospitals now live on Epic at Elmhurst, Queens hospitals