5 Newborns Found Injured, Hospital May Lose Medicare: Report

MADISON, WI — Federal investigators say that the UnityPoint Health-Meriter hospital in Madison failed to protect patients and prevent abuse in its Newborn Intensive Care Unit after five newborns were found to be seriously injured while in the hospital's NICU unit in 2017.

According to a Channel 3000 report, as a result, the hospital is facing termination of payments for services after the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services made a finding of "immediate jeopardy" for patients.

According to investigators, five newborns at the hospital had injuries ranging from bruising on arms and legs to a broken arm and a skull fracture.

According to UnityPoint officials, they suspended one employee Feb. 8 and increased their safety protocols after working with local police. A security officer is assigned to the NICU entrance and cameras are now in place in all NICU rooms, according to a CBS News report.

The Wisconsin State Journal is reporting that the suspended employee was the nurse who was involved in caring for the infants who were injured.

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