U.S. Navy Surgeon General Vice Adm. C. Forrest Faison III, MD, issued a statement and revealed several changes in policy following an incident at a Florida Navy hospital in which several individuals took inappropriate photos of newborn babies, according to First Coast News.
Multiple employees at Naval Hospital Jacksonville (Fla.), including at least one Navy nurse, were fired from patient care Sept. 18 after several images of them inappropriately handling newborn babies went viral the same day.
Dr. Faison stated Wednesday the incident was "highly offensive" and mandated all Naval hospitals prohibit the use of cellphones in patient care areas until further notice, the report states.
He also mandated additional training at all Naval facilities worldwide during the next 48 hours beginning Sept. 20.
"I have directed all commanding officers to personally contact current mothers and expectant mothers planning to deliver in one of our facilities to reassure them, inform them of our actions and address any of their concerns," Dr. Faison said, according to First Coast News. "I applaud the individuals who took a stand when they witnessed this inappropriate behavior online.