Twelve nurses were sanctioned by their National Order for having provided “percutaneous hydrotomy” care, a practice not scientifically validated, according to a decision released this Monday.
The twelve caregivers received sanctions ranging from a reprimand to a firm suspension for three months, according to the decision of the national disciplinary chamber of the order of nurses, made public by him.
Nurses put patients at ‘undue risk’
According to its promoters, percutaneous hydrotomy aims to relieve pain in people who suffer from recurring pain (osteoarthritis, low back pain, migraines, etc.).
It consists of making subcutaneous injections of saline enriched with various elements with large dilutions.
It is promoted by an International Percutaneous Hydrotomy Association, which provides paid training and the products used.
According to the decision, the sanctioned nurses put the patient at “unjustified risk” by using this treatment technique that has not undergone any recognized scientific validation.
In general, when nurses are faced with new care practices, it is up to them to “exercise a spirit of discernment” and a “duty of caution”, even if the care is requested by a doctor, underlines the disciplinary chamber.
In addition, the caregivers in question benefited from a prohibited “advertising promotion”, as their name and contact details appeared on the association’s website.
Not “scientifically sound”
The decision also calls on the council of the national order of nurses to issue “a warning to all nurses” about the practice, calling on all nurses “to cease without delay any involvement in these acts in any form.”
In an opinion issued in October 2021, several years after the start of the challenged practices, the Academy of Medicine considered that percutaneous hydrotomy was not “scientifically founded” or “clinically evaluated”.
“Its potential adverse effects are not documented”, and “its use should not be recognized as a valid healthcare practice”, according to this opinion.
Source: BFM TV
