A Virginia hospital has announced it will no longer admit infants to its neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) after several infants were found to have “unexplained fractures.”
According to Henrico Doctors Hospital, the hospital discovered in late November and December that three infants admitted to Henrico Doctors Hospital’s NICU had unexplained fractures, which could be expected in summer 2023. It was similar to the incident involving four infants.
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The hospital said it has launched an internal investigation, informed the family and notified the appropriate authorities and regulators, according to KTLA sister station WRIC.
Henrico Doctors Hospital of Virginia (WRIC)
“Out of an abundance of caution, we will not be admitting any additional newborns to the NICU at this time,” Dr. Henrico Hospital said in a statement. “Fractures can occur in preterm infants because the fetal bones are not fully developed, and we are actively working to understand how these fractures occur. Masu.”
The hospital said it has taken the following steps to strengthen safety measures in the NICU.
Require all NICU caregivers to participate in a supplemental unit-wide in-person safety training program. Adopt the practice of conducting additional head-to-toe testing on each baby in the NICU, led by a neonatologist. Introduce mandatory training for all health care providers who come into contact with minors and educate health care providers on identifying and reporting suspected neglect or abuse. To ensure proper care and peace of mind for parents, we are introducing two new security systems. A camera system that records all activities in the NICU room 24/7 and can be viewed in real time or at a later date. Live streaming technology allows parents to watch their baby.
The hospital said medical experts reviewed the video and provided the footage to relevant authorities.
“This process is thorough and time-consuming, but we are making steady progress,” Henrico Doctors Hospital said in a statement. “We have reviewed the video so far and have found no illegal or accidental activity.”
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Additionally, the hospital said it has implemented an observer system in which each NICU provider is accompanied by another clinician when in the infant room to ensure all protocols are followed.
Dr. Henrico Hospital said, “The safety of infants in the NICU is our top priority and we are actively working to pursue additional precautions to prevent future incidents.”
Nexstar’s WRIC contacted the Henrico County Police Department and was told detectives from the department’s Special Victims Unit have been assigned to follow up on the case and determine if any criminal activity occurred.
No charges have been filed as of Thursday, Dec. 26, police said.
