Video of baby apparently being roughly handled at West Islip hospital raises calls for oversight

Ilene Corina, a board-certified patient advocate, says that it was unusual that the curtain was closed - apparently preventing parents from seeing their babies inside the unit.

News 12 Staff

Feb 24, 2023, 3:46 AM

Updated 651 days ago

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There are calls for more oversight after a disturbing video shows a nurse seemingly slamming a newborn at Good Samaritan University Hospital.
Ilene Corina, a board-certified patient advocate, says she would guess that it's not the first time it happened.
She also says that it was unusual that the curtain was closed - apparently preventing parents from seeing their babies inside the unit.
"I don't know why the parents weren't in there with the baby," Corina, who works at the Pulse Center for Patience Safety, says.
The child's father, who was recording the video, alerted hospital staff immediately after the incident. The nurse was then sent home for the day.
Catholic Health Services would not comment on their procedures or training practices.
In a statement on Wednesday, a spokesperson for the hospital wrote, "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."
"It's very upsetting to see a nurse do that or that it would happen in a health care setting where we're supposed to feel safe," Corina says.
The child's family says they have not gone to the police about the incident because the parents want to put the incident behind them.
News 12 reached out to some hospital systems on Long Island.
Stony Brook University Hospital said the curtain is always left open unless a medical procedure is underway or if the parents request privacy.