Carly Muniz, PA-C

During a flu swab procedure at Baystate, I experienced immediate and significant nasal bleeding immediately after she shoved the swab up my nostril. The procedure felt quick and forceful. There was enough blood that one of the other nurses was shocked when she came in the room. I had several nose bleeds over the next few days. It became severe enough that I required medical treatment, including nasal packing (6 rhino rockets) and follow-up care with ENT specialists. I ultimately required two surgeries to control and resolve the bleeding over the next 2 weeks after her flu swab. I did not have a history of nosebleeds prior to this event, and I was not informed that injury requiring surgeries was a potential risk of the procedure.The experience was physically and emotionally difficult, and it has made me more cautious about similar medical procedures in the future.