A former nurse in Colorado is being held on a $1 million bond after sexually abusing unconscious female patients and recording the assaults. The 61-year-old man worked at St. Mary's Medical Center for more than a decade before his arrest. A witness told police they saw him taking photos of an unconscious patient's genitals. Now, he's being sued by two patients who accused him of sexual assault.

Authorities uncovered 65,000 hours of video from the nurse's personal devices. In one video, he's heard speaking to himself about never deleting the videos, as they are his trophies akin to “Dexter,” a television show about a serial killer. He was also pictured posing with a number of unconscious patients. Police say they expect to identify more victims in the coming days.

The Colorado Nursing Board Responds

In October, the nurse was fired from his role at the hospital. The following month, the Colorado Nursing Board suspended his license. As of this writing, the man remains in jail awaiting trial and has not yet entered a plea. The case could be further complicated by the fact that he allegedly administered sedatives to patients unnecessarily. Patients under his care were rendered unconscious with no legitimate medical need. The lawsuit doesn't specifically name the drugs used, but medications were used to render at least two patients unconscious.

Ethical and Legal Boundaries for Healthcare Professionals

Nurses, like all healthcare professionals, are held to high standards when it comes to ethics and privacy. Flagrant violations can warrant license suspension or revocation. In cases like this, arrests are inevitable. While the nurse in question is owed his day in court, the incredible amounts of evidence are damning.

Of course, less egregious violations can also lead to investigations and the loss of a nurse's professional license. Because of the high standards that nurses are held to, even a minor violation can result in an investigation. While such oversight can help remove bad actors, minor lapses in judgment can be penalized with the same outcomes as the one in this news story. To avoid sanctions, suspensions, fines, and license revocation, healthcare professionals accused of violations would do well to hire a professional license defense attorney.

Protect Your Reputation and Livelihood

If you've been accused of a violation at work, there's no time to waste. Attorney Joseph D. Lento can help you protect your name and your ability to earn a living in healthcare. Make no mistake: healthcare violations result in more than just a slap on the wrist. Don't leave your livelihood at risk. Professional license defense attorney Lento will negotiate with the nursing board and work to achieve the best possible resolution. The Lento Law Firm Professional License Defense Team is ready to assist healthcare professionals in New York, and New Jersey. Call 888.535.3686 to learn how attorney Lento can help you defend your good name.