:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/urgent-care-1-090325-8272b27ebf2f4dd48d2762c5a216cc77.jpg)
NEED TO KNOW
- Several staff members at a California urgent care have been fired after they were placed on leave for posting a viral TikTok video showing them mocking what seems to be pap smear discharge left behind by patients
- The now-deleted clip was originally posted by a user and former employee under the handle @angieuncut
- A representative for Sutter Health tells PEOPLE, “This unacceptable behavior is an outright violation of our policies”
The California urgent care clinic workers who posted photos on TikTok mocking patients’ discharge after pap smears have been fired, a Sutter Health spokesperson told PEOPLE.
The incident occurred at the Pesetas Urgent Care in Santa Barbara, Calif., a Sansum Clinic facility. The video, which circulated on Labor Day weekend, has since been taken down.
“Sutter Health has terminated the employees responsible for the inappropriate and insensitive photos posted on social media,” a Sutter Health spokesperson told PEOPLE in a statement.
“This unacceptable behavior is an outright violation of our policies, shows a lack of respect for our patients and will not be tolerated,” the statement continued. “Protecting the trust of those we serve is our highest priority and when that trust is violated, we take swift action to address it.”
Sutter Health confirmed that the employees were placed on leave “within 24 hours of becoming aware of the posts,” and they were terminated within another 24 hours. The incident remains an ongoing internal investigation.
“We expect all team members to live our patients-first mission and uphold the highest standards of compassion, professionalism and respect,” the representative continues. “We are using this inappropriate incident to reinforce our comprehensive policies with all our team members across the organization as part of our commitment to providing all patients with high-quality, compassionate care.”
The now-deleted clip, originally posted by a user under the handle @angieuncut, showed a group of staff gathered around a medical chair, appearing to ridicule what seems to be discharge left on exam room paper by a patient. The individual who posted the video left the organization in July.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
According to screenshots obtained by the Santa Barbara Independent, the TikTok post included six photos in total. In one, a nurse in pink scrubs gives a thumbs-up, while another woman in blue scrubs bends over and sticks her tongue out near a stained exam chair.
“Guess the substance,” the video was captioned, according to the Independent.
