A New York NICU nurse was fired after she was caught on video slamming a newborn face-first onto a bassinet.
RELATED STORIES: Labor And Delivery Nurses Fired After TikTok Video Reveals Their Issues With Patients
Fidel Sinclair was checking on his son Nikko, who was receiving antibiotics at Good Samaritan Hospital’s NICU, when he caught the nurse forcefully flipping Nikko and slamming him face-first onto the bassinet while filming him. Moments later, Nikko’s mother, Consuelo Saravia, confronted the nurse, saying, ‘I don’t want you touching my child! You just slammed him.’
To the new parents who’s baby was manhandled and slammed face first at good samaritan hospital NICU in west islip, NY:: PLEASE PRESS CHARGES ON THAT NURSE.
— Jacqui
(@JacksMarie_) February 24, 2023
So everyone can see a a little better without the face being sensored out, my little cousin just 2 days old was slammed by one of the nurses at Good Samaritan Hospital is West Islip. Please keep an extra eye out for your child/ren at these hospitals. pic.twitter.com/x9VUWgtXz9
— Kitty
(@katiekaykay1324) February 24, 2023
The nurse responded, ‘Oh no, if you think I mishandled him or anything, I’m sorry.’ The angry mother informed other nurses and administrators about the incident by showing them the disturbing video. Officials said the nurse had been fired but didn’t release her identity.
RELATED STORIES: Nurses Arrested For Selling Fake COVID-19 Vaccination Cards In $1.5 Million Scheme
Suffolk County police said in a statement that they are investigating the situation with its Special Victims section, as reported by NBC News. The hospital released a statement, and a spokesperson told the Daily Mail that the nurse was a recent hire, but they didn’t say how long she worked at the NICU.
‘Upon learning of this incident, swift and immediate action was taken, including conducting an investigation and consequently terminating the individual involved. Additionally, we reported the individual to the Department of Health for further review. Keeping our patients safe remains our paramount concern.’
Sinclair said he felt helpless during the situation, and his other concern was if a similar situation happened to other newborns since there were other nurses present when the situation happened. Additionally, there were curtains covering windows at the NICU, but the hospital says it is standard procedure for them to have curtains in the room. ‘It is standard procedure to have curtains in the neonatal ICU to provide privacy for the patients and their families and because services are being administered at the bedside,’ they explained.
‘If it wasn’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 not only to him but the other babies too,’ Sinclair explained.
The New York State Department of Health said they are investigating the incident but didn’t release any further details about the case.