Doctors Play Online 'Price Is Right Style' Game, Post Pictures From Operating Rooms

A group of Michigan doctors has come under investigation for allegedly playing an online game that involved posing with human organs removed during operations and posting those pictures on the internet.

The ground rules of the insensitive online game reportedly adhere to that of the famous American TV show "Price Is Right," where contestants are asked to guess the prices of everyday retail items, without going over their real cost.

The investigation was launched by Spectrum Health, a healthcare institution in Michigan, after several surgical images from operating rooms (OR) were inconsiderately posted on an Instagram account, run by 35 obstetrics and gynecology residents, reported local news outlet Wood TV.

One of the posts from the account showed a picture of a doctor posing with a length of fibrous tissue in his hand while the patient from which it was taken out was still lying on the operating table. “Longest one wins! Good work,” the caption read.

In another post, a doctor was seen holding an organ that was removed during an operation on a cancer patient. “The other game we play in the OR is guess that weight,” the description read. “ It applies to much more than just babies. As always, ‘Price is Right’ rules apply so if you go over then you’re out!” the doctor who posted the picture wrote.

The Instagram account, which is not officially connected to Spectrum Health, has been removed. The group of doctors who posted the pictures, however, still work at Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids.

“The privacy of patients and the confidentiality of their medical information is a priority at Spectrum Health. We were disappointed to learn that surgical images were posted on an Instagram account used by a group of residents and are taking steps to resolve this issue,” Spectrum Health told the news outlet.

“These posts do not follow our code of excellence or our expectations for team member behavior. The Instagram account has been closed and a full investigation is underway,” the institution that has more than a dozen hospitals added.

“Health care is not a game to people, it’s their life,” Caitlin Donovan of the Patient Advocate Foundation said. “How do you trust someone who does that? You want to make sure as a patient that you trust your provider. You want to make sure they respect you. If you don’t think your doctor respects you as a person, then how in the world can you trust them with your life?” Donovan added.