Indiana hospital warns staff about woman faking pregnancy to access maternity ward

After a woman allegedly faked a pregnancy to gain access to the labor and delivery floors of Muncie, Ind.-based Ball Memorial Hospital, hospital officials are working with police and alerting hospital staff to look out for the woman, according to WRTV.

It is unclear whether the hospital obtained surveillance video of the woman. Hospital officials declined to tell WRTV whether they have identified the woman.

"While no related criminal activity has taken place or charges have been filed, hospital police, leadership and team members remain vigilant. The safety and the very best care of patients and guests are always the highest priority," Ball Memorial Hospital stated in a May 17 news release obtained by WRTV.

Indianapolis-based Community Health North Hospital said it is crucial for staff to have drills to ensure outsiders cannot gain access to a hospital's newborns.

"As soon as a baby is delivered, we put identification on a baby, which does include a security tag," said Jamie Phillippe, MSN, director of NICU/PICU/Pediatrics at Community Health North.

Ms. Phillippe said the hospital's maternity ward and newborn ICU are locked down at all times. To protect patients when security threats arise, hospital officials share information with all staff and pay close attention to video feeds around the facility, she said.

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