Nurses take groufie in the middle of an operation

A photo uploaded on the Facebook page GoPro Users Philippines showed that nurses were taking a groufie (group photo) inside the operating room while a patient was lying on an operating table in the background. The photo was shared on the GoPro Users Philippines page by a nurse named Ahrvin Capistrano who is currently working in Mary Johnston Hospital, Tondo, Manila.

Netizen Rachel Samson later posted the photo on her Facebook page with a message showing concern for the patient. Samson posted, “Ang tanong ko lang, tama ba ito na mag groufie na may pasyente na nakahilatay sa likod? Hindi ba dapat dun kayo naka-focus sa pasyente kasi buhay nya ang nakasalalay dyan? [My question is, is it right that these people take a groufie while the patient is still undergoing a procedure in the background? Shouldn’t they be focusing on the patient since it’s his life that is at stake?]

In the original photo, a netizen asked if the GoPro camera used to take the photo was sterilized at all. According to the World Health Organization’s Clinical Procedures, equipment and instruments should be strictly for use in the operating room, treatment room, or emergency department. This means it was highly unnecessary to bring in a camera, much less take a photo during an on-going operation.

Another issue raised here is the attention given to the patient. Regardless if the operation was finished or not, the patient should be of utmost importance and must be given medical attention at all times.

On its website, Mary Johnston Hospital described itself as offering “considerate and respectful care, provided in a safe environment, free from all forms of abuse, neglect, harassment and/or exploitation” in their patients’ rights and responsibilities. It also states a patient has the right to have “reasonable continuity of care.”

Even though the patient’s face was not shown in the photo, this could lead many patients at the hospital to be wary of their welfare if they themselves will undergo a procedure.

Updates to follow if and when Capistrano and Many Johnston Hospital give their statements.