HAGATNA, Guam (AP) — A newborn had one of her fingertips cut off at a Guam hospital while being treated for a high fever.
HAGATNA, Guam (AP) — A newborn had one of her fingertips cut off at a Guam hospital while being treated for a high fever.
The baby’s mother, Johanna Borja, of Tamuning, said the cut was discovered as nurses were changing bandages securing an intravenous line. But Borja said the nurses didn’t give her a clear explanation of what happened.
Guam Memorial Hospital Administrator Joseph Verga confirmed the incident but said he can’t provide details because it’s an open investigation.
“We’re taking this situation very seriously, the same way we handle all … concerns raised,” Verga said. “We’ll take very strong, appropriate action based on the outcome of the investigation.”
Borja brought her 2-week-old daughter to the hospital Dec. 17 with a fever of 100.1 degrees, she said. The cut to the baby’s right pinky apparently happened Dec. 19, after she asked nurses to replace the baby’s bandages because one was bleeding and was taped in a way that scratched the baby if she touched her face.
Borja said she and her boyfriend waited nearly one hour for the bandages to be changed before she walked into the exam room and was met by the baby’s doctor.