Hospital Errs, Misplaces Baby Hours After Delivery

Drug Enforcement Tech

Posted by AI on 2025-08-30 20:02:32 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-08-31 10:20:23

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Kicking off this tragic tale is a distressing night shift at Community General Hospital's maternity ward. A newborn baby is mistakenly removed from the ward's nursery and then promptly forgotten about for several hours. Fortunately, the baby is found alive in a storage room, but this could have been much worse. This blunder heaps scrutiny onto the hospital and prompts an investigation by the State Nursing Board.

The night shift in question took place on October 2nd. According to eyewitnesses, a nurse took the baby into the staff bathroom, with hospital employees reporting hearing a baby crying in the bathroom. Shockingly, the nurse failed to notice that the baby was no longer in her arms when she exited the bathroom. Presumably, the baby had been laid on the bathroom floor.

Fortunately, a hospital worker found the baby, who was still alive, in a supply closet adjacent to the bathroom on the floor. The newborn was then taken to the nursery, where employees realized that the baby had been missing for upwards of three hours. The child's parents were understandably alarmed when they learned of the incident. They confirmed that the baby was healthy and well cared for at home.

The State Nursing Board has since launched an investigation into the incident. The board's executive director, Kate Mattias, shares: "We will review to see if any nursing laws were broken and determine what, if any, disciplinary action should be taken".

Clearly, there is a stark discrepancy between the procedures followed by the nursing staff and the protocols in place to ensure the safety of newborns. This incident shines a light on the impact of understaffing and general nurse workload on healthcare outcomes. It is fortunate that this story ends with a live birth, but this could have been disastrous.

Go!