AORN Statement Regarding Forced Hysterectomy Allegations

AORN Statement Regarding Forced Hysterectomy Allegations

DENVER, September 17, 2020 – The Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN), which represents more than 200,000 registered nurses practicing in pre-, intra-, and postoperative surgical care, commends ICE nurse Dawn Wooten for filing a complaint against high rates of hysterectomies performed on immigrant women under U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody.

All nurses, regardless of specialty, are obligated to uphold the ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements to diligently protect and promote human rights. AORN’s Perioperative Explications for this code confirm the perioperative nurse’s moral obligation to provide nursing care which respects the patient’s autonomy, dignity, unique attributes, and human rights.

It is AORN’s belief and recommendation that a thorough and immediate investigation into these allegations at the Irwin County Detention Center and all ICE detention centers be conducted and the appropriate actions be taken to protect the rights of every patient regardless of their nationality, status as a citizen of the United States, gender identity, race or color.

AORN supports the American Nurses Association’s Response to High Rates of Hysterectomies on Immigrant Women Under ICE Custody and the Statement from the American College of Nurse-Midwives Regarding Complaints of Unwarranted Hysterectomies Performed Without Consent at ICE Facilities.