Hospital calls on nail technician to save critically ill young woman

A hospital urgently summoned a nail technician to remove thick gel nails obstructing vital sign monitoring equipment, saving a critically ill patient.

An unusual situation recently unfolded in Hunan province, China, when a medical team had to seek assistance from a professional nail technician. Their urgent task was to remove artificial nails, allowing medical equipment to function and save a patient suffering from acute myocarditis, SCMP reported on 5/3.

The patient, Lili, 28, from Hunan province, was admitted to Hunan Provincial People's Hospital on 5/2 in critical condition with fulminant myocarditis. During the emergency resuscitation efforts, doctors encountered a significant obstacle: all 10 of her fingertips had long, artistic nail enhancements.

The thick gel polish and nail extensions completely blocked light penetration for the blood oxygen saturation monitor, preventing the device from displaying vital signs. Medical staff attempted to remove the polish themselves but failed due to the specialized nature of the nail materials.

Lili's artificial nails became a dangerous obstruction during the emergency procedure. *Sanxiang Metropolis Daily*

To avoid losing precious time for treatment, the hospital urgently contacted a professional nail technician, asking them to bring their tools directly to the emergency room. The technician raced against time to remove the artificial nails. Immediately after the nails were removed, doctors could measure blood oxygen levels and adjust the treatment plan promptly. Thanks to inter-departmental cooperation, Lili's vital signs stabilized, her ventricular fibrillation was controlled, helping her overcome the critical condition.

A hospital doctor stated that artificial nails obstructing medical treatment is not uncommon. Beyond hindering monitoring devices, some nail products and excessive nail filing also pose long-term health risks.

In a video, emergency doctor Liu Xiao, from the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, advised nail enthusiasts to consider "leaving at least one finger bare" as a life-saving opportunity in an emergency. Doctor Liu also recounted a case where a patient in their 20s was admitted in a coma. When the finger clip device was rendered ineffective by gel nails, the medical team had to use an earlobe oxygen monitor to manage the situation.

A representative from a fingertip oxygen monitor manufacturer stated that besides the thickness of gel nails, dark nail polishes can also strongly absorb or reflect light, reducing the accuracy of medical readings.

Medical experts explained that fingertip or toe oxygen measurement is a basic technique in emergency care. Thick nail polish or nail embellishments will block the device's light, while thin, clear polishes typically do not pose an obstacle. Therefore, doctors advise that if one enjoys nail enhancements, it is best to choose clear polish or leave at least one finger bare to prepare for medical emergencies.