State board suspends license of Wisconsin nurse under investigation for NICU injuries

A nurse under investigation for unexplained injuries to newborns at Madison, Wis.-based UnityPoint Health-Meriter lost his license last week, reports WMTV NBC 15.

The Wisconsin Board of Nursing issued an interim order March 19 to suspend the nurse's license until the board can make a final decision. The nurse's license, which he got in 2003, was current through 2020.

Wisconsin's Division of Legal Services and Compliance launched an investigation into the nurse Feb. 15, after five babies at Meriter's neonatal intensive care unit suffered various unexplained injuries, ranging from bruises to a skull fracture, since April 2017. Meriter suspended the nurse Feb. 9. The nurse was also allegedly let go from a previous nursing role at Madison-based UW Hospital in 2003 before coming to Meriter.

The nurse did not admit any wrongdoing, but voluntarily agreed to refrain from practicing nursing during the investigation, according to the interim order cited by WMTV NBC 15. The Madison Police Department is still investigating the injuries, and criminal charges have not been filed against the nurse.

"As the police investigation continues, we continue our own internal review and have implemented supplemental monitoring and security measures to enhance supervision in our newborn intensive care unit until the investigation is complete," Meriter said in an official statement emailed to Becker's in February. "We will continue to cooperate with all appropriate agencies and will do all we can to bring about a swift and appropriate resolution."

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