Nurse under investigation after injuries found on FIVE newborns, including fractured ribs and skull

A Wisconsin nurse was suspended from work last month after five newborn infants were discovered to have injuries that reportedly occurred under the nurse’s care. The hospital where the babies were injured is also under investigation for not acting quick enough.

The Wisconsin State Journal reports that UnityPoint Health-Meriter in Madison is in hot water for not responding immediately after one of the infants was injured in April 2017,  while in the hospital. Injuries on additional babies followed, including fractured ribs, a fractured skull, and a fractured arm.

Initially, physicians thought the bruising found on the first newborn came from the infant clutching an IV wire while wrapped in a blanket, but evidence surfaced that additional babies were injured, all under the care of the same nurse. The next incident occurred in January 2018, followed by another incident on February 2, and another on February 4, when a doctor noticed a lump on a newborn’s head.

The hospital contacted authorities on February 8, after a CT scan showed the baby had a fractured skull.

According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the hospital “failed to develop and implement an effective policy to prevent, screen, identify, train, protect, thoroughly investigate, report, and respond to any allegations of suspected abuse related to injuries or unknown origin,” according to the federal agency investigating the case.

Due to the severity of the situation and a “immediate jeopardy” infraction, the hospital is now at risk of losing its Medicare contract. A hospital spokesperson said that actions have been taken to correct the situation.

Not only was the nurse suspended, but the hospital installed security cameras inside all rooms and assigned a security guard to look over the newborn unit. Nurses now can only have two patients at a time instead of three and two people must be present during all activities involving patients.

The story is still developing. Check back with CrimeOnline as additional details become available.

[Feature Photo: Pixabay]