Washington male nurse charged for allegedly raping hospital patient

[News_Editor]

Washington male nurse charged for allegedly raping hospital patient

2011-04-27 17:36:54 GMT+7 (ICT)

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON (BNO NEWS) -- A male nurse working at a Washington hospital has been charged for allegedly raping a female patient, officials said Tuesday.

Konstantin V. Kurkov, who had been working at St. Francis Hospital since June 2008, was charged for second-degree rape after allegedly assaulting a 20-year-old female on March 16 who was receiving back treatment at St Francis in Federal Way, Washington.

According to the probable cause affidavit, Kurkov offered to look at the patient's back because she could not afford to see a chiropractor as recommended. He asked the woman to stand next to the bed and bend over and touch her toes. She bent over and felt 'weird' because the entire back of her gown was open to his view.

Kurkov then allegedly asked to check the patient's stomach, but he then inserted his fingers into the woman's vagina without wearing any gloves. The incident continued until he stopped to get the patient's paperwork.

According to the document, Kurkov returned and allegedly said he would continue to check her vagina, but the woman refused, saying she would see her regular doctor.

The Department of Health said the Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission immediately suspended the license of registered nurse Kurkov and can no longer practice in Washington until the charges are resolved.

The commission alleges that Kurkov examined a patient for a back pain complaint without orders from a health care provider, inappropriately touched the patient and did not follow standard medical procedures.

Kurkov was charged for second-degree rape in King County Superior Court and has 20 days to respond to the charges and request a hearing.

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