A nurse at Chong Hua Hospital in Cebu, the Philippines, has faced criticism after posting online that she would not change patients' diapers or perform perineal care, prompting the hospital to address concerns about the incident.
Maybelle Adaro, identified in reports as a nurse at the hospital, reportedly described leaving the scene while colleagues cleaned a patient who had defecated in their diaper. Her comments drew criticism from social media users, including fellow nurses, who questioned her attitude towards basic patient care.
In her post on Threads, Adaro wrote: 'As a nurse, one thing I absolutely CANNOT and WILL NOT do: change diapers or do perineal flushing.'
She also described what happened after the patient needed to be cleaned, writing: 'So what did I do? My ates [big sisters] from work cleaned the patient while I casually exited the scene.'
Her remarks circulated online and prompted discussion about nurses' responsibilities when caring for patients who require assistance with personal hygiene.
Hospital Reviews Nurse's Social Media Post
Chong Hua Hospital in Cebu said it was reviewing concerns surrounding a nurse's social media post about refusing to change a patient's diaper or provide perineal care. In a statement issued on 9 October 2026, the hospital said the post did not represent the standards and values expected of its healthcare professionals. It added that the matter was being reviewed through the appropriate internal processes and would be addressed in accordance with hospital policies and established procedures.
The hospital also reaffirmed its commitment to treating patients with compassion, respect, sensitivity and dignity. It thanked those who had raised concerns and said it remained committed to maintaining patients' trust. The report did not confirm a final outcome of the hospital's review or any disciplinary action against Adaro.
Nurse's Comments Draw Criticism From Colleagues
Adaro's remarks prompted responses from people who identified themselves as healthcare workers, including nurses who stressed that personal hygiene is part of patient care. One Threads user who identified herself as an intensive care unit nurse working in Germany criticised the post and referred to expectations for nurses providing basic care overseas.
'Sorry, but I don't think this is something to flex about. Wait until you work abroad, where even nurses are expected to provide basic patient care, including changing diapers and performing perineal care,' the user wrote.
The same commenter said nursing involves more than administering medication and carrying out medical procedures. 'Nursing isn't just about administering medications and performing procedures. Patient hygiene, dignity, and comfort are also part of our responsibilities,' she added. Other responses highlighted the importance of treating patients with dignity, particularly when they depend on healthcare workers for intimate or essential daily care.
What Is Perineal Care?
Perineal care involves cleaning the area around the genitals and anus. In hospitals, it may be provided to patients who are unable to manage personal hygiene independently because of illness, limited mobility or recovery from medical procedures. The procedure may be necessary after a patient soils a diaper to remove faeces and moisture from the skin. Healthcare workers may also check for irritation and follow hygiene and infection prevention procedures during cleaning.
Perineal care is among the personal hygiene tasks required by patients who need assistance with toileting and daily care. The procedure should be carried out while maintaining the patient's privacy and dignity.
Debate Centres on Nursing Responsibilities
Adaro's post drew responses from healthcare workers and other social media users after she described leaving colleagues to clean a patient who had defecated in a diaper.
The discussion focused on nurses' responsibilities in providing personal hygiene care, including changing soiled diapers and performing perineal care for patients who cannot manage these tasks independently.
Chong Hua Hospital said it was addressing concerns surrounding the incident, according to reports published on 12 October 2026. However, no final outcome of the hospital's review or disciplinary action against Adaro had been confirmed in the available reporting.
