Full Statement Released After California Clinic Staff Fired For Mocking Patients’ Bodily Fluids In ‘Dehumanizing’ TikTok

A group of employees at a California urgent care clinic was fired after a TikTok video showed them posing with bodily fluids left on patient exam tables, sparking public outrage. The footage was recorded inside the Sansum Clinic in Santa Barbara and quickly spread across TikTok, Reddit, and other social media platforms.

The video, uploaded by user @angieuncut, displayed staff mocking stains on disposable exam table covers. Clips included employees giving thumbs-ups, sticking out their tongues, and captions such as “Guess the substance” and “All shapes and sizes,” drawing widespread condemnation for unprofessional behavior.

Sansum Clinic, affiliated with Sutter Health, confirmed that all staff appearing in the video were immediately terminated. A spokesperson emphasized the organization’s commitment to patient dignity and stated that a full review was underway to ensure compliance with internal policies.

Although the person who posted the video had not worked at the clinic for two months, those featured were active employees at the time. Sansum Clinic also issued a statement reaffirming that patient trust and respect remain top priorities.

The video sparked backlash from the public and healthcare professionals. Reddit users and nurses criticized the behavior as unethical and dehumanizing, igniting broader conversations about professionalism and social media conduct in medical settings.

Ethicists noted that mocking patients—even anonymously—violates medical ethics and erodes trust between providers and patients. Dr. Liana Chen highlighted the damaging impact a single post can have on institutional reputation and community relationships.

The incident underscores the growing importance of digital conduct policies in healthcare. While the original TikTok account is now private, screen recordings continue to circulate. Calls for stronger social media guidelines and respect in clinical environments have intensified in Santa Barbara and beyond.