“With Every Breath: Millions of Breathing Machines. One Dangerous Defect.”

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and ProPublica teamed up in 2023 for an investigation that exposed the hidden dangers lurking within Philips Respironics’ widely used sleep apnea machines and ventilators.

For 11 years, the company used foam components in the devices. Those elements were disintegrating, releasing harmful particles and toxic fumes into patients’ airways. Despite growing evidence and internal warnings of serious health risks, Philips continued to market and sell the compromised devices.

The reporters conducted a first-of-its-kind data analysis of more than 100,000 government reports describing device malfunctions, injuries and deaths. Their analysis revealed that Philips withheld more than 3,700 complaints over 11 years from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The journalists formed connections with sources and interviewed scientists at Philips, obtained internal documents and test results that were never made public, and their publications sued the FDA over lengthy wait times before receiving key information. The reporting team also partnered with student journalists at Northwestern University’s Medill Investigative Lab, who hand-reviewed thousands of reports about the defective machines.

The impact of the reporting has been widespread. Philip’s announced it would no longer sell  sleep apnea devices in the United States under a settlement with the U.S. Justice Department. The Government Accountability Office is investigating the FDA’s oversight of medical devices for the first time in years. The reporters also organized a public forum to help families navigate the crisis after so many responded to the stories.

The reporting done by the Post-Gazette, ProPublica and the Medill Investigative Lab truly shows the power of collaborative journalism. Their reporting exposed corporate negligence and empowered affected communities, fostering dialogue and advocacy.

Article by: Abbi Ross