‘Pretend Nurse’ Jailed for Botched Botox Injections

This has got to stop. Authorities need to double down to crack down on fraudulent and dangerous practices. And collectively, we need to convince potential patients that ‘good deals from bad apples’ can be devastating.

Fake nurse Shiva Ashkani jailed  two years

As a director of the Canadian Society of Aesthetics Specialty Nurses and a current medical aesthetics practitioner and trainer, I must applaud the media for bringing to public attention the recent stories of patient abuses and criminal actions against fraudulent cosmetic practices.

It is hoped these reports will serve as a warning to the public about diligently ensuring their cosmetic injectors are professionally licensed, qualified and trained to do medical aesthetics procedures.

 

As well, the actions by authorities could also send a message to perpetrators that breaking the law can have serious legal and safety consequences.

 

Mar. 28, 2019: Woman who posed as nurse and fraudulently gave Botox injections hit with jail time
Mar. 22, 2019: B.C. man ordered to stop providing Botox injections at Vancouver skin care clinics
Mar. 8, 2019: Lions Bay woman slapped with injunction over alleged illegal Botox injections
Jan. 24, 2019: ‘Dr. Lipjob’ nets suspended sentence for illegally injecting Botox
Oct. 17, 2017: Teenaged ‘Dr. Kitty’ charged with posing as doctor in botched basement injections 

I intend to do whatever I can to help. And that includes making myself to the media, bloggers and colleagues for interviews, background information or guidance. My qualifications as an experienced injector and medical aesthetics trainer speak for themselves. My passion for patient safety and high standards of practice will also be self-evident.

Reports of botched injections are alarming

Our Association and professional members work closely with provincial regulatory bodies (like the Ontario College of Nurses) to uphold and support the highest standards of health care. At our clinics and in my THMA Consulting training program, we set the bar high. For the good of the profession and protection of the public.

Non-invasive cosmetics are growing rapidly in popularity. Consumers are prepared to pay for non-invasive treatments that when performed by skilled and licensed injectors will make them look good and feel better about themselves. Some, understandably, will look for bargains. That’s where the trouble lies.

Where’s there’s a buck to be made, there are shady operators out there fraudulently representing themselves and ignoring all healthcare standards while offering injection services at a discount rate in hotel rooms or so-called backyard clinics.

What the legal and regulatory authorities need to do is focus their energy on unlicensed practitioners and thoseworking outside their scope of practice or not abiding to the existing delegation policies set out by the Colleges. Policies do not need to change, but the outliers need to be educated and trained or reprimanded for their actions.

We also want to strongly encourage consumers to exercise ‘buyer beware’ precautions, and seek out only the professional services of well-trained nurses and doctors who put a premium on patient care and patient safety.

As an experienced injector and practitioner trainer, I have always set the bar high when it comes to medical aesthetics. So do the vast majority of my colleagues.

Encourage patients to ask questions

Our patients need to know this.

Practitioners should put their education, training and expertise up front. And strongly encourage patients to question your qualifications and to thoroughly discuss the safety as well as the effectiveness of procedures.

Collectively, all professionally educated and trained nurses and doctors in medical aesthetics have to promote and protect ethical, safe practices. Anything less than the highest standards of patient care should be unacceptable.