Nurses Fired in Westmoreland for Sharing Inappropriate Patient Photos

In Greensburg, Pennsylvania, an investigation led to the termination of four employees from Independence Health System at Westmoreland Hospital due to serious misconduct involving at least eight patients. The investigation revealed that these employees took and shared inappropriate photos and videos of nude elderly patients without their consent. The victims, aged between 46 and 105 years, were subjected to this violation of privacy while in their hospital rooms. Peter Castellano and Melissa Tompkins were identified as the main individuals involved, with allegations stating they deliberately provoked patients to capture these images. They shared the disturbing content in a group text with two other employees, who have not yet faced charges. When questioned, both Castellano and Tompkins acknowledged their participation in the group chat but denied any wrongdoing, with Castellano claiming he only saw clothed patients and Tompkins suggesting her phone was taken for a selfie. The actions of these employees were described as egregious by the hospital administration, which emphasized that such behavior contradicts the core values and standards of conduct expected from their staff. The hospital expressed shock and outrage at the findings, leading to the immediate termination of the involved employees. As of the latest updates, Tompkins was expected to turn herself in to authorities but failed to appear at the magistrate's office. The case highlights significant ethical breaches in patient care and raises concerns about the treatment of vulnerable individuals in healthcare settings.