Tonight, new warnings about the booming med spa industry. Specifically, the risks that come with those popular IV drips that are so so popular with young people. They claim to boost the immune system, help weight loss, or even cure a hangover.But a new study warns the industry operates with virtually no oversight or data backing up its claims. Here to break it down is NBC News medical reporter Erica Edwards. Erica, med spas are a big business with some estimating now it's a $15 billion industry, but this st ...

Investment & Impact - TPG promised investors, including the World Bank, the Gates Foundation, and Bono, to expand access to healthcare in Africa and Asia [1] - Patient safety complaints arose after TPG's commitment [1]

Healthcare Disparities & Bias - The healthcare industry faces a silent crisis where patient voices are dismissed, leading to misdiagnosis, inadequate treatment, and potential harm [2] - Implicit or explicit biases against certain populations influence clinical decisions and health outcomes [3] - Black women are 260% (2.6 times) more likely to die during childbirth compared to their white counterparts, highlighting disparities in healthcare outcomes [3] - 48% of Black adults in the US have experienced discrimination while seeking healthcare, leading to avoidance of care and worsening conditions [3] - The industry acknowledges the existence of bias in healthcare against various populations, including children and the disabled, resulting in health disparities [4] Psychological Safety & Moral Courage - Psychological safety, defined as the ability to report concerns without penalty, is often a buzzword rather than a baseline in healthcare settings [3] - The industry needs to foster moral courage, which is the courage to have difficult conversations even when uncomfortable, to address issues in healthcare [3] - Knowledge without psychological safety is like a fire without oxygen, hindering the ability to have difficult conversations and improve healthcare outcomes [3] Systemic Changes & Solutions - The healthcare system normalizes devaluing and dehumanizing people, necessitating a shift towards love, respect, and honor [10] - Nurses, comprising 4300000 (4.3 million) of the healthcare workforce, have a responsibility to actively listen and advocate for patients [10] - The industry should commit to cultural responsiveness, understanding and learning about the cultures of the people they serve, recognizing it as an ongoing process [14][15]

Patient Safety Concerns - A patient, Schaefer, experienced severe pain during a cosmetic surgery performed at Sonabello and later developed a life-threatening infection [1][2] - Schaefer is suing Sonabello, alleging negligence and lack of proper care [4] - The lawsuit is among over 200 filed against cosmetic surgery chains, raising concerns about disfiguring injuries and deaths [4][5] - At least 13 complaints were made to the Better Business Bureau, with patients reporting excruciating pain during procedures [7] Surgeon Qualifications and Training - The surgeon who performed Schaefer's surgery was a board-certified OBGYN, not a board-certified plastic surgeon, who completed Sonabello's 6 to 8 week unaccredited training program [3] - Sonabello claims its training program is rigorous and it is transparent about surgeons' qualifications [4] Company Response and Practices - Sonabello denies wrongdoing and asserts that it prioritizes patients over profits [4][5] - Sonabello uses lidocaine for pain management during surgery, keeping patients awake, claiming it is safer than general anesthesia [1] - Sonabello states that 13 negative experiences out of 300,000 patients is not the norm [8] Industry Recommendations - Experts recommend consulting with a doctor, not just a sales representative, and inquiring about the surgeon's qualifications before undergoing cosmetic procedures [10]