A California urgent care center has fired multiple staff members after a TikTok video surfaced showing them mocking patients inside an exam room, sparking outrage online.
The now-viral clip reportedly showed employees laughing and imitating patients’ symptoms and behaviors while on duty. Viewers quickly condemned the video as “dehumanizing” and a breach of patient trust.
The urgent care facility issued a statement confirming the employees involved had been terminated.
“We have zero tolerance for any behavior that disrespects patients or compromises their dignity,” the statement read. “The individuals responsible are no longer employed with us, and we are reinforcing training on professionalism and patient privacy.”
Medical ethics experts say the incident highlights ongoing concerns about staff conduct on social media, particularly in healthcare settings where confidentiality and respect are critical.
“Patients are at their most vulnerable in exam rooms,” one healthcare ethicist told local media. “Mocking them publicly isn’t just unprofessional — it can be deeply harmful.”
Authorities have not confirmed whether HIPAA violations occurred, but the facility says it is reviewing its policies to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The video has since been deleted, but not before it was widely shared, drawing sharp criticism from community members and patients alike.