The safety and well-being of newborn babies are paramount, and parents trust medical professionals to provide them with the best care possible. However, caught on camera, a Long Island nurse mistreated a newborn, causing outrage and shock.
The video shows the nurse forcefully slamming the baby into the bassinet. Consequently, such an egregious act has resulted in the immediate termination of the nurse. In this article, we will delve into the details of this appalling incident. We will also discuss measures to ensure the safety of vulnerable newborns in medical facilities.
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The Incident And Its Impact On The Family
Consuelo Saravia’s worst nightmare came true as a parent. A need for observation caused the admission of her newborn baby, Nikko, to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Nikko’s father, Fidel Sinclair, visited him in the NICU. He captured an alarming video of a nurse roughly handling the 2-day old newborn.
The video shows the nurse picking Nikko up and slamming him face-first back into the bassinet. This left both parents shaken and traumatized.
Saravia recalls, “It was heartbreaking. I couldn’t stop crying. I couldn’t even sleep.” The incident occurred when Nikko was only two days old, and doctors administered antibiotics to him. The NICU kept the baby for observation. Parents could visit their little one for a limited time each day.
Upon seeing the video, Saravia confronted the nurse, telling her, “I don’t want you to touch my child! You just slammed him.” The nurse apologized, but Saravia showed the other nurses and administrators the video.
Hospital’s Response
The hospital immediately initiated an investigation and terminated the nurse responsible for the incident. Good Samaritan Hospital, run by Catholic Health, reported the individual to the Department of Health for further review.
Catholic Health stated, “Keeping our patients safe remains our paramount concern.” However, Nikko’s parents were concerned about the lack of security cameras in the NICU. They were grateful that the curtain was lifted enough for Sinclair to see his son and record the incident.
Sinclair questioned, “There were a lot of babies in there, and it made me feel like if that happened to Nikko, who else did that happen to?”
The hospital stated that closed curtains are standard procedure in the NICU to provide privacy for the patients and their families. However, the NICU allows immediate family members to spend time with their loved ones inside. The state Department of Health took the disturbing allegation seriously and investigated the matter.
Suffolk Police were not investigating the incident because no one had filed a report. However, NBC New York informed them of the video’s existence. Nikko is now at home and doing well, but the traumatic experience has shaken his parents deeply.
Sinclair remarked, “If it weren’t for God, who sent me to check on him, we would have never seen any of that happen. And It would have kept happening overnight to him and the other babies too.”
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Larger Implications
The incident highlights the need for increased security measures and awareness of infant care practices in the NICU. Parents must remain vigilant and report any incidents of mistreatment or negligence. Hospitals must prioritize patient safety by addressing incidents and take precautionary measures to prevent anything like this to occur in the future.
No-one can overstate the emotional toll on parents whose children have experienced trauma in the NICU. The experience can leave parents feeling helpless and anxious about their child’s well-being. Hospitals must support and counsel parents and families affected by such incidents.
Takeaway
When it comes to the safety and well-being of newborns in the NICU, security cameras can play a crucial role. The placement of security cameras in the NICU should be carefully considered to ensure they capture any mistreatment or negligence while still maintaining privacy for the babies and their families.
Cameras should be placed in areas where medical staff interacts with the babies, such as near the bassinets and monitoring equipment.
Additionally, hospitals must implement protocol to ensure that footage is reviewed regularly, and any incidents are addressed promptly. The presence of security cameras can act as a deterrent for inappropriate behavior, promote accountability, and ultimately help ensure the safety and well-being of vulnerable newborns.
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