Clinic Worker Commits Suicide

April 15, 2000

Clinic Worker Commits Suicide

We receive a copy of all inspection reports done by the Department of Human Resources for the clinics in Atlanta through the open records act - we would urge everyone to try to do the same - you can obtain a lot of information. We recently got an inspection report from the Atlanta Surgi-Center that had a complaint posted by a worker at the clinic. One of the male nurses had committed suicide. The nurse was performing a procedure and was unable to deal with the consequences of his acts. The procedure entailed injecting the babies heart with digoxin - this causes a heart attack to the baby - no telling what it does to the mother's physical health, but it seems that once the Food and Drug Administration approves a drug it can be used however a doctor sees fit.

The drug is somewhat expensive and so the doctors will sometimes lower the dosage in hopes that the baby will still die but at a reduced cost. Apparently this nurse was the one administering the digoxin and performing the entire procedure. The dose he gave did not kill the baby. Additionally, the pitocin he gave to the mother was not causing the contractions needed to complete the delivery on it's own. The nurse needed to go in and physically pull the little baby from the womb. During the process, first one and then the other arm was ripped from the baby. One can only imagine the pain that child felt. Finally the nurse was able to pull the child from his mother. Still alive - no arms. The male nurse then took the baby and placed him in the sink where he bled to death.We do not know how long it took but eventually the realization of what had taken place and the recurring vision of watching this child bleed to death was too much for him to bear alone. He did not have the hope of the saving grace of our Lord in his heart. He killed himself. We, as His people must take some responsibility for not helping him before he got to that point. We must remember, there is always more than one victim in this horrible crime against God's children. We need to remember to always keep the workers in our hearts and prayers - we are probably the only chance they have of ever knowing Christ. God Bless all of you for remaining strong in this battle.

Michael & Michelle Wolven