NHS trust apologises after photo of nurse making v-sign during operation posted on Facebook
I am anything but a fan of Britain's dismal nationalized health system but I think this is a bit of a storm in a teacup. I have been on the operating table more times than I can count but mostly under local anesthetic. And there is always plenty of chatter between those present -- with laughter from time to time but absolutely NO detriment to my treatment. But I do go to a top private clinic for my procedures so perhaps I should not generalize too much:
"A hospital visitor visited Facebook to thank nurses for their treatment of a patient - and was stunned to find pictures of staff pulling 'v-signs' and pointing their backsides at the camera.
The picture of a nurse flicking a 'v-sign' while inside an operating theatre - with a patient apparently lying on the bed - was branded 'humiliating' by fellow patients and Tory MP Ann Widdecombe.
Bosses of the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust today issued an apology, and had the pictures removed from the site while launching an investigation.
Source
15 comments:
I get it. You have pictures of people mucking it up for the camera (a non-sterile camera no less) while an operation is going on. You have nurses showing their butts to the camera.
All this in a place that has had one of the worst super bug outbreaks causing the deaths of people.
There is a time for fun and a time for levity. There is even time for "professional" humor.
None of the photos or actions of the staff in the pictures presents a professional attitude.
The nurses weren't at a party. They weren't in a patient's room laughing with them. They weren't at a nurses' station during a lull.
They were in the middle of an operation.
It's poor and almost inexcusable unprofessionalism.
I don’t get it, the operation must have been a success, hence the “V” sign for Victory. Now a Thumb down sign, might be considered disrespectful, since it doesn’t show concern that the operation was a failure.
Mobius
Anon 4:43. The difference in perception is interesting. My first thought on seeing that picture was, "Great, the operation went well."
I'd expect smiles and happiness in that situation. Even a victory sign to indicate success.
As for the camera, many operating rooms have observation windows. My assumption was that someone took a picture through a window.
Even if the camera was inside the room, who's to say it wasn't sterile? It might have been.
Nurses showing their butts? Where? I examined the picture closely and could see one nurse in the background with her back to the camera. Unless you have a way of seeing through the nurse in front you have no way to see her butt, let alone know if she's pointing to it.
From my point of view your assumptions are all wrong.
Did you check the source?
"Great, the operation went well."
The operation that is still ongoing? The operation where the nurse has removed her mask while another person is still masked, working on the patient? That operation?
Furthermore, where is she flashing the "V for Victory" sign? In case you missed it, the "V for Victory" sign is given with the palm facing toward the audience. Clearly in the picture the palm of her hand in facing toward her. It is far more likely that she is saying "two" rather than any type of a victory symbol.
As for the camera, many operating rooms have observation windows.
I am unaware of any operating theater that has a glass that close to the patient.
Even if the camera was inside the room, who's to say it wasn't sterile? It might have been.
Do you have any idea what it would take to sterilize a camera phone? Or even a normal consumer camera?
Nurses showing their butts?
As another poster has said, you need to check the source article.
So doctors and nurses aren't allowed to have a little fun? Medical school takes 7 years plus additional postgraduate studies. Nurses study 4 years and have to do the most vile disgusting things to patients. If this people can't goof around once in a while, who can?
Of course doctors and nurses are allowed to have a little fun. It is when that fun occurs that made it unprofessional. I imagine that you would love a judge who, in the middle of closing arguments, starts dancing and singing in the courtroom. Or how about a medical examiner that while on the scene of a dead body, starts doodling on the body.
Good fun, eh?
There is a time and a place for everything. No one is saying that doctors and nurses shouldn't have fun, but there are more professional ways than these two nurses exhibited.
Also, please read the article to discover the condition of the hospital. A lack of professional etiquette (such as nurses not washing their hands) led to the deaths of people.
Go ahead and laugh that one off.
"It is when that fun occurs that made it unprofessional."
---Flipping the victory sign for two seconds is unprofessional? You remind me of those trucking companies that prohibit their drivers from smoking inside the cab, or those places where mechanics aren't allowed to put posters of naked women or those offices where the cubicle slaves are only allowed to take breaks at certain hours.
In my family I have 2 dermatologist, 1 general practitioner and 1 lung doctor. They're all great at what they do and they all have fun, in fact, their sense of humor helps their patients feel better.
Did you know that it's common practice to play music in the operating table?
I read the article, sure, nurses not washing their hands is bad, but posing for a picture isn't bad. And don't take me wrong, I don't worship doctors, I certainly hate the ones that think they can opine on gun control just because they know how to remove a bullet from a criminal that had it coming to him, but when it comes to a few hijinks I'd rather trust the doctors that spent YEARS suffering in medical school instead of lay people that take two seconds to form an opinion.
---Flipping the victory sign for two seconds is unprofessional?
Maybe not. Where is anyone flashing the victory sign?
You remind me of those trucking companies that prohibit their drivers from smoking inside the cab,
.... because smoking causes cancer higher health costs so obviously the company has a compelling interest in keeping drivers healthy as well as keeping the truck clean.
or those places where mechanics aren't allowed to put posters of naked women
.... now you are advocating breaking employment law.
or those offices where the cubicle slaves are only allowed to take breaks at certain hours.
God forbid that a company demands that employees actually work.
In my family I have 2 dermatologist, 1 general practitioner and 1 lung doctor. They're all great at what they do and they all have fun, in fact, their sense of humor helps their patients feel better.
Once again, this is not about having fun or not having fun. It is about WHEN the nurses were having "fun."
Did you know that it's common practice to play music in the operating table?
So what? The music isn't there for the enjoyment of the doctors and nurses. The music is there for the patient as studies have shown that in many cases, music helps relax a patient even on a subconscience level. That means it is not about "having fun," but doing what is best for the patient in a professional manner when the circumstances require it.
Then again, I suppose you would want the a tape of Shecky Greene or some other commedian while the operation is going on.
"Okay Mr Smith... we are going to put you under and remove that cist from your penis.... ha hah hah hah!! Uh,.... Sorry Mrs Smith, we accidently cut something off."
All great fun.
but when it comes to a few hijinks I'd rather trust the doctors that spent YEARS suffering in medical school instead of lay people that take two seconds to form an opinion.
Yet isn't it interesting that it wasn't the DOCTORS who were doing the hijinks, but the NURSES.
The incident was reported by a family member of a patient. Obviously the "good times" caused them to have a lack of confidence in the actions of the staff.
Finally, if you read the whole article, you will find this quote from the hospital:
"The behaviour of the member of staff during the operation and that of the person taking the photograph is clearly unacceptable and completely unprofessional."
I'll take the judgement of professionals over those of someone who thinks that tomfoolery in an operating room is "acceptable" and a good thing.
Anon 9:47am,.... the V sign given with the palm facing the audience is the peace symbol. (as in hippies) If it's given with the palm facing the person making the sign, it's a victory sign.
BTW. get a life and lighten up!
From what I remember when I was taking English lessons some 24 years ago, wasn't the nurse flipping a finger(s) to the camera?
Anon 9:47am,.... the V sign given with the palm facing the audience is the peace symbol. (as in hippies) If it's given with the palm facing the person making the sign, it's a victory sign.
Nope.
http://tinyurl.com/mce7zp
The palm facing out is used for the victory sign as well as the peace sign.
Her conduct was unprofessional giving the surroundings and the history of the hospital. The administration was right on this one.
"Her conduct was unprofessional giving the surroundings and the history of the hospital."
---I believe the most important thing in any workplace are happy employees that enjoy coming to work and doing their jobs. When so-called "professional" behavior is demanded, all you achieve is angry workers that can't wait to leave at 6pm, don't care about their company, aren't willing to make an extra effort, and have the potential of making more mistakes since anger and resentment rarely creates productivity.
One of my biggest frustrations in the workplace is the lack of fun. Ever notice how employees rarely go out to lunch anymore? How they eat at their desks? And why do we kill ourselves working? Promotions aren't guaranteed, anyone can get fired at any time for any reasons, companies want you to give a two week notice yet they never return the favor.
"One of my biggest frustrations in the workplace is the lack of fun. "
Join a circus.
In Britain the V-sign with palm inwards means "fuck off" (sometimes jokingly - and in this case at the camera to quit taking photos).
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