Uniontown hospital nurse to be disciplined, not terminated
A longtime nurse at Uniontown Hospital who accidentally dropped a newborn baby last week, fracturing his skull, will not be fired from her position.
According to Josh Krysak, coordinator of community relations, the hospital has completed an internal review of what occurred and is following its internal protocol for disciplinary action.
“She will not be terminated,” Krysak said. “We have found that this was an unfortunate accident.”
He said she will face discipline, but the hospital is not sharing details of the disciplinary action because it is a personnel matter, according to Krysak.
On June 30, a nurse of 30 years at the hospital’s Family Beginnings Birthing Center had the child slip from her hands while she was seated shortly before 6 a.m. Tuesday, Krysak said
At the time, medical personnel at the hospital assessed the baby and determined the baby did not sustain any initial injuries. As a precaution, the child was transferred to Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh.
Baby Eli Murdock was later diagnosed with a skull fracture at Children’s.
“It’s our understanding that the baby is going to make a full recovery,” Krysak said. “We’re very happy about that. We are maintaining contact with Children’s Hospital, and we continue to send all of our good thoughts and prayers to the baby and to the family.”
Krysak said from as far back as they have been able to review hospital files, this is the first time an incident like this has occurred.
He added that the hospital’s policy allows babies to stay in their parents’ care throughout their entire stay.
“Typically, when a baby leaves the parents’ side is when the parent requests that the nurse or nursery take care of the baby so they can get some rest,” Krysak said.
He said the mother cared for the baby overnight, but gave the baby over to the nurse early in the morning, prior to the incident.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.