Three Hospital Employees Suspended After Baby Receives Skull Fracture

AP ^ | March 23, 2002 | AP

[maica]

I can sense the feeling of your heart stopping when you did not see your baby!

[TN Republican]

I had a friend when I was in jr. high school, and he and his sister had to carry their mother's first husband's last name. I'm sure that was because she thought he was the guy she would be with for the rest of their childhoods. When that didn't work out, she went on to husband #2. Then they got divorced, and since the kids were both 18 by that time, they had their names legally changed to match their real paternal name (it was the same for both). I'm sure that they would rather have had their father's name their whole lives, instead of having a phony last name that was contrived to fit their mother's living situation.

If the biol. father didn't go to prison, I think it's pretty damn spiteful of women who don't give their kids their father's last names. In all likelihood, she should know who the father is, and would be pursuing him for child support.

[estrogen]

Strange things happen in hospitals.

My stepfather who was in a coma fell out of bed and broke his hip.

A woman I know gave birth to triplets who sadly did not survive due to their premature birth. The firstborn was stillborn and placed into hospital tray. The other two were delivered alive but hours later died. When the funeral home came to remove the bodies, only the last two born were found. That poor first child was probably "thrown out" with used towels etc. They never did find him.

These are just two instances in people I am close to, I can't imagine what else goes on in hospitals.

[mountaineer]

That poor first child was probably "thrown out" with used towels

That is one of the most horrible things I've ever read.

[Judith Anne]

My son was born able to turn himself over and hold up his head. Freaked everyone out! Especially me!

But I think someone dropped this infant.

[johnny7]

Maybe they were playing catch with it and somebody dropped the ball.

The term employees makes we wonder of their job titles.

That could be anyone from a cleaning person to a brain surgeon.

[ventana]

That's some strong kid you got there, lady!!! :). V's wife.

[Amelia]

Maica, you aren't kidding!

Judith Anne, mine could hold his head up as well, but that turning over thing is freaky! Did he walk early as well?

[maica]

But I think someone dropped this infant.

Whoever was assigned to this infant and walked away with the porthole open IS GUILTY OF AND LIABLE FOR dropping the infant. Lesson #1 before being allowed to care for a baby in an Isolette: Never leave the portholes open.

[Judith Anne]

Yes, he RAN at 9 months. Climbed up on top of the refrigerator using chair to counter to refrigerator, at the same age. Climbed out of his crib. We had to put a lid on it. I was concerned about the psychological consequences of having him in a "cage" but our pediatrician said, "I'm more worried about the physical consequences of a kid who wakes up in the middle of the night!"

In first grade, he climbed the rope in the gym all the way to the ceiling. The teacher called, me and said, "Your son won't come down from the rope, we're going to call the fire department." They were afraid he'd fall. I said, "Tell him his mother said climb down NOW before I come to the school and fetch him down."

He came down, safely and rapidly, all by himself, at that. He's one of those "born coordinated" kids, and although he'd never fired a rifle until he went in the army, was an expert marksman immediately. He just moves really smoothly.

It's a gift from God, from heredity, but not from me, I'm clumsy, and hubby is a carpenter, classical pianist, organist, office manager, not a sportsman, though he too is a dead shot.

Thanks for asking...I guess I said too much, huh? Please forgive me...not bragging too much, though I am pleased--it was a challenge to be his mom, and very scary.

[Amelia]

it was a challenge to be his mom, and very scary.

I'll bet! The gym story gives me chills!

[gorush]

If they'd just used the soft spot like they were supposed to, you can safely carry ten at a time that way.

[Judith Anne]

I'm kinda weak kneed today, thinking about it. His oldest son is the same...yes, scary. I have white hair. I tell people it's hereditary, I get it from my kids...;-D

[Crowcreek]

"But I think someone dropped this infant"

Whoever was involved certainly did not leave the scene with the baby on the floor unattended --

The most obvious explanation is that the janitor had an 'accident' of some type, (with the baby in or out of the isolette) and cooked up a cover story while summoning help.

Partly at fault were the hospital people who were absent from the nursery while this happened.

[alisasny]

Those boxes you speak of that provide heat and lights to treat jaundice and offer access to the babies for immediate care also have high walls. There is no way a newborn could fall out of that box either. My son was a premmie in either unit for near 3 weeks and it is just impossible. There are nothing on either to pull down the barrier wall that keep the baby inside.

[alisasny]

I have a son like yours who is almost ten now. He scares the death out of people who don't understand how agile he is now. When younger he scared us a few times. At age 5 while out on a lake he did a front flip off the side of the boat. He didn't even know how to swim. Adult had to jump in to get him. I have caught him watching tv from atop the fridge. At age 3.5 he climbed over the stairway banister onto a ledge over stairs that had no guard and called us in "look at me". My husband and I nearly had a stroke. I could go on and on but his lightness ( he is very petite) and his coordination make him a natural gymnast if I were to persue that.

[FreeperinRATcage]

What you describe is a crib, not an isolette. An isolette is as pictured.

[FreeperinRATcage]

But the free market of the hospitals is tainted by insurance companies that tell us which hospital we have to go to, and the secretive nature of the medical field in itself, which refuses to give patients enough information to make an informed decision on quality of hospitals and staff.

[Judith Anne]

Wow, sounds like our boys are a lot alike! The interesting thing is that my son wasn't rebellious, or disobedient, it was just that he could think of more things to do than we could...He was so neat, as a kid, now he's a terrific REPUBLICAN man...;-D He's on the taller side, as the men and most of the women in my family tend to be...

[Politicalmom]

This is why my babies were NEVER alone in the hospital. My husband FOLLOWED them from birth until they were back in my arms, and they never left my arms until they were in their carseats. I know EXACTLY what happened to them and am sure that all the "routine" crap that we refused was not administered despite our wishes. Babies are ROUTINELY left crying in the hospital nursery. When I was in labor, I walked around and around the nursery, watching the screaming infants with these huge bright spotlights shining on them, and I cried my head off. It was so sad.