The Associated Press writes:

"As the sisters looked at the body piercings displayed in the pictures on the table, they point to studs sticking from ears and tongues, and rings stabbed through nipples, eyebrows and noses.  Crystal Williams-Serrano and Dina Robinson say their photo collection gets a lot of attention, but there's a serious side to why they're interested in piercings.  The two nurses - who only have their ears pierced - know how the bits of body jewelry can be deadly obstacles in some situations.

Piercings on an emergency room patient can cause critical problems for medical personnel.  Piercings on inmates also must be removed because the jewelry can be filed down and used as weapons in prisons and jails.

It is for that reason Robinson, a licensed nurse, and Serrano, a medical supervisor at a law enforcement facility, have created what is believed to be the first kit of its kind designed to pluck out piercings in less time than it takes to put one in.  Williams-Serrano states that at times inmates claim their piercings won't come off, but the kit has made quick work of even the most challenging ones.  She said that she has not come across a piercing yet that can't be removed with the kit.

The kit is being used regularly to remove piercings from inmates at the Lassen Adult Detention Facility in Susanville, California.  'We haven't had any tools before, so we had to remove them by hand.  That causes more pain to the patient and it is more difficult,' said Raelynn Reed, a physician's assistant at the prison.

The Plum Creek Medical Group in Lexington, Nebraska, also has purchased the kit.  Although the clinic hasn't had to use it as of yet.  Nursing Director Marian Wehr said its something she is glad to have on hand.  'Some patients can take a turn for the worse in a matter of seconds and we need to be prepared for that,' she said.

SerRobCo has advertised the kits through full-color postcards featuring images of young adults with extreme piercings.  One shows a woman with a pierced tongue and lip and bright orange hair.  It reads: '8 different piercings, 2-car accident, 60 seconds to remove each one. 1 life saved.'

SerRobCo has sold hundreds of these kits to emergency rooms and jails, other customers include school nurses and dentists.  Family practicioners also can use the kits to remove infected piercings."

                                                September 2002 release

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