Daegu hospital apologizes for nurse’s alleged newborn abuse

A hospital in Daegu issued a public apology on Saturday after a nurse in its neonatal intensive care unit was accused of abusing newborns and posting unsettling photos of them on social media.

The nurse, who works at Daegu Catholic University Medical Center, ignited public outrage after sharing an image of herself holding an infant, with captions that appeared to suggest a desire to drop the baby.

Further scrutiny revealed that this was not the first time she had posted such photos.

In a two-minute video released on the hospital’s official YouTube channel, the hospital’s director, Kim Yoon-young, apologized.

“We deeply apologize for the distress caused by the inappropriate actions of a NICU nurse at our hospital,” Kim said. “To the parents who entrusted us with their precious children and were profoundly shocked and hurt, we offer our sincerest apologies.”

Kim said that the nurse had been removed from duty and would face severe disciplinary action. "Such actions can never be justified under any circumstances," he added.

Kim also said the hospital was fully cooperating with police and health authorities in their investigation.

The father of one of the infants in the nurse's photos has filed a police complaint against both the nurse and the hospital director. The father reportedly also alleged that at least five other infants had been mistreated at the hospital and that three more nurses were involved.

Source : https://m.koreaherald.com/article/10458893?sec=

Comprehension

What city is the hospital involved in this incident located in?
What unit did the accused nurse work in?
What action by the nurse caused public outrage?
How did the nurse’s social media post suggest mistreatment?
What did the hospital director, Kim Yoon-young, do in response to the incident?
What disciplinary action did the hospital take against the nurse?
What was the purpose of the video released by the hospital?
Who filed a police complaint related to this incident?
What additional allegations did the parent make in the complaint?
What is the hospital doing in cooperation with authorities?

Discussion

How should hospitals ensure the safety and dignity of newborns in their care?
What impact might this incident have on public trust in medical institutions?
Why is accountability important in the healthcare profession?
How should social media use be regulated for healthcare workers?
What emotions might the parents of the affected infants be experiencing?
How can hospitals support families after such a breach of trust?
What role should law enforcement play in investigating medical misconduct?
How could other nurses or hospital staff have prevented this from escalating?
What long-term changes might this hospital need to implement?
How can parents advocate for the safety of their children in hospitals?

Vocabulary

Neonatal – Relating to newborn children, especially the first weeks after birth.
Intensive care unit (ICU) – A specialized department in a hospital for critically ill patients.
Abuse – Cruel or violent treatment, especially of someone vulnerable.
Outrage – A strong feeling of anger or shock.
Inappropriate – Not suitable or proper in a particular situation.
Apology – A statement expressing regret for an error or offense.
Disciplinary action – Steps taken to punish or correct inappropriate behavior.
Investigation – A formal inquiry or examination into a matter.
Allegation – A claim or assertion that someone has done something wrong, typically without proof.
Mistreated – Treated badly or abusively.