Cole Cross Iowa patient tries to get flossing nurse aide attention only to be ignored as the un-named woman stands over him practising unsafe hygiene in front of compromised patient at Ottumwa Regional Health Center. Viral video leads to worker being fired. Legal avenues against nurse and hospital are now being explored.
A nurse aide at an Iowa hospital has been fired after video captured her flossing her teeth over a male patient confined to a bed with breathing tubes as the helpless man sought to get the worker’s attention.
Video of the incident went viral after Joe Bainbridge shared it on his Facebook page on Christmas Day, who said his best friend, Cole ‘Tiny’ Cross, was being treated at Ottumwa Regional Health Center for congenital heart disease at the time.
Captured footage shows an un-identified nurse aide standing over the patient while bizarrely flossing her teeth. Despite Cross’s attempts to get her attention, the aide continues to floss, ignoring him.
What informed nurse aide she could behave with such impunity?
Speaking to KTVO, Bainbridge said he shared the video to raise awareness of Cross’s care and to push for his transfer to another facility.
The video quickly went viral, gaining over 925 shares, and nearly 337,000 views.
The hospital issued a statement to KTVO saying,
‘Ottumwa Regional Health Center has a zero-tolerance policy for actions that don’t align with our core values. As soon as this unacceptable behavior was flagged for us early last week, we addressed it, immediately suspending and then terminating the employment of the staff member involved. This one incident is not a reflection of the dedication of our team or the great care we provide our community each day. We encourage anyone who sees something like this to speak up and report it so we can resolve it as quickly as possible, ensuring the health and safety of our patients and learning from it.’
While the staff member’s employment has ended, Cross’s medical journey continues.
He was released from MercyOne in Des Moines on January 6, 2025, but may still need further care.
KTVO has reached out to the Iowa Board of Nursing to see if the incident has been reported and if the nurse involved could face any consequences along with the hospital.
They have not yet responded according to the outlet.
