Unethical? Illegal?

[canesdukegirl]

My best friend recently visited me over the weekend and she was telling me about her neighbor's daughter who recently had T&A surgery. The neighbor offered the OR nurse $50 to pierce her child's ears while she was under GA. Lo and behold, the daughter had pierced ears when I saw her, and was bragging that she had it done at the surgery center. The child is 9.

I was flabbergasted. Although the neighbor WANTED this done, the CHILD wanted it done, and the OR nurse apparently carried out the ear piercing herself, I am still in shock. I didn't see the consent of course, and I know that it could have been included...but the OR nurse accepted the $50. Isn't that illegal? Or is it just unethical?

Anyone else hear of such a thing?

[canesdukegirl, BSN, RN]

I want to thank each and every one of you who replied. I think that the best course of action would be for me to keep my mouth shut. (I am sure that my hubby would LOVE to have this statement not only recorded, but replayed many, many times!) I was not a witness to the scenario, and could not possibly offer any kind of opinion since it was a third party statement. Your replies made my mind a little more relaxed, and my worry over this has abated simply from your collective validation of the issue.

Thanks so much y'all. This is why I love this forum...nurses seeking advice and getting another point of view from colleagues. I take your opinions to heart, and again, I thank you for those.

[sharpeimom]

i want to thank each and every one of you who replied. i think that the best course of action would be for me to keep my mouth shut. (i am sure that my hubby would love to have this statement not only recorded, but replayed many, many times!)

that made me hear my dad's voice in my head! when i was in my teens, occasionally, he'd listen to something i'd said, then ask, "may i have that signed and notarized, please?!":eek:

[KJStarling]

I want to thank each and every one of you who replied. I think that the best course of action would be for me to keep my mouth shut. (I am sure that my hubby would LOVE to have this statement not only recorded, but replayed many, many times!) I was not a witness to the scenario, and could not possibly offer any kind of opinion since it was a third party statement. Your replies made my mind a little more relaxed, and my worry over this has abated simply from your collective validation of the issue.

Thanks so much y'all. This is why I love this forum...nurses seeking advice and getting another point of view from colleagues. I take your opinions to heart, and again, I thank you for those.

Mine too, Sister! Mine too!

take care, thanks for the chuckle!

K

[Batman25]

Smart to stay out of it. You don't know what is true and what isn't. Not so sure I believe this woman given the kind of person she is. If she ends up getting sued for slander one day she just might deserve it. Perhaps that is a lesson she needs but let the people involved who witnessed it take action.

[OCNRN63, RN]

I vote to keep quiet. Ever hear the expression, "Don't stick your hands in 'the crazy'?" This is definitely one of those situations that qualifies.

[Isabelle49]

Maybe the surgeon did the piercing and told the nurse to keep the money.