Post Your Medical Harms on Facebook

The nonprofit investigative news agency ProPublica, which practices “journalism in the public interest,” has created a Facebook community of people harmed by medical errors, injuries or infections.

The organization invites anyone who has been so victimized, and anybody else concerned about problems in medical treatment to join and/or follow the conversation. Get details here.

Among tales of personal disability and the chronicles of loved ones posted so far are stories about surgical mistakes, becoming infected with deadly drug-resistant bacteria and dental mishaps. Some reports claim that the problems were not properly addressed by health-care providers.

Although not limited to the coverage of health care, ProPublica does invest significant resources in that discussion. Topics the site has covered at length include gaps in nursing oversight; drug company payments to doctors, hospital autopsies, conflicts of interest and abuses at psychiatric facilities.

“With Facebook,” the site says, “we want to build a community of people – patients as well as doctors, nurses, regulators and health-care executives and others – who are interested in discussing patient harm, its causes and solutions. Among other things, we’ll post Q&As with experts and provide links to the latest reports, research and policy proposals. Your suggestions are welcome along the way.

“Please join us. Share your story, ask questions and provide your perspective with other members. Your contribution may help shape our reporting.”