Do hospitals remove piercings? A comprehensive guide to medical procedures

September 22, 2025 •

5 min read

For patient safety, over 90% of hospitals and surgical facilities enforce strict policies requiring the removal of metal jewelry, including piercings, before certain medical procedures. This precaution is essential to prevent injury and ensure accurate medical care, addressing the question: Do hospitals remove piercings?

Quick Summary

Hospitals typically require the removal of piercings for patient safety before procedures like surgery, MRIs, and CT scans, but policies depend on the situation. Potential risks from leaving jewelry in place include burns from electrical equipment, interference with imaging, and obstruction during emergency care. Non-metallic retainers may be an option for some procedures.

Key Points

Safety First: Hospitals prioritize patient safety by requiring the removal of piercings for procedures like surgery and MRIs.
MRI Risk: Metal piercings must be removed for MRIs to prevent burns and traumatic injury from the powerful magnetic fields.
Surgical Burns: Electrical surgical tools can conduct current through metal jewelry, causing serious burns to the patient.
Emergency Protocols: In emergencies, medical staff may remove piercings immediately to save a patient's life, with little to no concern for the jewelry itself.
Infection Control: Jewelry can harbor bacteria, increasing the risk of infection in sterile medical environments.
Retainer Alternatives: Inert, non-metallic retainers (glass, PTFE) may be used for some procedures if approved by medical staff.
Communicate with Staff: Inform your medical team about all your piercings and ask about specific policies for your procedure.

The Core Reasons Hospitals Remove Piercings

Hospitals and other medical facilities prioritize patient safety above all else. While your personal expression is important, it must take a back seat to protocols designed to prevent harm and ensure a smooth procedure. The primary reasons for piercing removal revolve around three major safety concerns: electrical conductivity, magnetism, and infection control.

Electrical and Surgical Concerns

Many surgical procedures involve the use of electrocautery, a tool that uses an electrical current to cut tissue and seal blood vessels. Any metal jewelry, even if it's far from the surgical site, can act as a conductor for this electricity. If the current flows through the piercing, it can cause severe electrical burns to the patient, leaving a burn mark or a more serious injury. To eliminate this risk, all conductive jewelry must be removed.

Magnetic Fields and Diagnostic Imaging

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines use extremely powerful magnetic fields to generate detailed images of the inside of the body. Any ferromagnetic (magnetic) metal entering this field will be pulled toward the machine with immense force. This can cause the piercing to tear through the skin, resulting in significant trauma. Even non-magnetic metals can heat up during the scan due to the strong radiofrequency pulses, leading to burns. While high-quality, implant-grade titanium is non-magnetic, many people's jewelry is not of this quality, and hospital staff must err on the side of caution. CT scans and X-rays also require the removal of metal in the area being imaged to avoid creating artifacts that can obscure or distort the results, rendering the scan useless.

Infection Prevention

Piercings, especially those in the mouth or near a surgical site, can harbor bacteria. Even well-healed piercings can accumulate bacteria over time. In a sterile operating room environment, any potential source of infection is a significant risk. Removing jewelry helps maintain the sterile field and reduces the chances of a hospital-acquired infection, which can complicate recovery. For this reason, leaving any jewelry in is generally not an option, especially for surgery.

Procedures Requiring Piercing Removal

Planned Surgical Procedures

Before any scheduled surgery, you will receive specific instructions regarding preparation. This will almost always include a requirement to remove all jewelry and piercings. The hospital's pre-operative team will confirm this policy. If a piercing is new, difficult to remove, or if you are concerned about the hole closing, it is essential to discuss this with your surgeon in advance. They may recommend using a non-metallic, inert retainer, but this is at their discretion and depends on the procedure.

Emergency Medical Care

In an emergency situation, there is little time for discussion. If a life-saving procedure is needed, medical staff will remove any jewelry that poses a risk or obstructs treatment. This can be jarring and may result in the loss or damage of a valuable or sentimental piece of jewelry. For example, during intubation, a tongue piercing can pose a risk of obstruction or dental injury. During defibrillation, any metal can conduct the electrical current and cause burns. Medical staff are trained to perform these removals efficiently, often using tools to cut or bend the jewelry, and the hospital is typically not liable for damaged items.

Diagnostic Imaging Appointments

For an MRI, you will be explicitly asked to remove all metal from your person. For CT scans or X-rays, only jewelry near the area being imaged needs to be removed. It's best practice to come prepared by leaving all unnecessary metal at home.

Alternatives for Non-Removable or Recent Piercings

For patients with newer piercings or those that are difficult to remove, there may be alternatives available, though these must always be approved by the medical team.

Non-metallic retainers: Implant-grade materials such as glass, PTFE (a flexible plastic polymer), or sterile, implant-grade silicone can be used as retainers. These are inert, non-magnetic, and non-conductive, making them safe for most procedures. They keep the piercing channel open and are discreet. For more information on safe piercing and materials, consult reputable sources like the Association of Professional Piercers (APP) at safepiercing.org.
Taping: In some specific, low-risk cases, a non-conductive tape may be used to cover a metal piercing that cannot be removed. However, this is not a standard practice and is generally only considered as a last resort when the risk is minimal, such as a wedding ring that won't come off due to swelling.

Your Role as a Patient

Proper communication and preparation are your best defense against surprises and potential damage to your jewelry. Always follow these steps:

Communicate clearly: Inform all medical professionals, from reception to nurses and doctors, about every piercing you have, including those in less visible locations.
Ask about policies: Inquire about the facility's specific policies regarding piercings for your upcoming procedure. Don't assume anything.
Prepare in advance: For scheduled procedures, plan to remove all your jewelry at home. If you have non-removable or new piercings, discuss the possibility of retainers with your doctor well before your appointment.
Protect your valuables: Leave expensive or sentimental jewelry at home. Hospitals are not responsible for lost or stolen items. If a piercing must be removed in an emergency, it may be cut and you will not get it back in its original condition.

Comparison of Piercing Policies by Procedure


Medical Procedure	Standard Protocol	Special Considerations
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)	All metal must be removed.	Can use inert (glass, PTFE) retainers if approved by technician.
Planned Surgery (Electrocautery)	All metal must be removed.	Non-metallic retainers or taping may be an option, subject to surgeon approval.
Emergency Room Care	Immediate removal if deemed a risk.	Items may be cut or damaged without time for patient input.
CT Scan / X-Ray	Removal of metal only in area of scan.	Not all piercings will need to be removed; check with technician.
Ultrasound	No removal typically required.	May need to remove if directly over area being scanned.
Psychiatric Care Admission	Often required for patient safety.	All personal jewelry may be stored and returned at discharge.

Conclusion

Patient safety is the top priority in any medical setting. While the requirement to remove piercings can be an inconvenience, it is a necessary precaution to protect you from burns, injury, and infection. Proper communication with your medical team and preparing in advance are key steps to ensuring your medical procedure goes as smoothly as possible. By understanding the reasons behind these policies, you can take control and ensure your safety without compromising your health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, in an emergency, medical staff may remove any piercings that pose an immediate risk to your health or obstruct a life-saving procedure. This might be done without time for your consent and could result in damaged or lost jewelry.

In some non-emergency situations, you can refuse, but this may mean you will be required to sign a waiver stating you understand the risks. For high-risk procedures like surgery or an MRI, refusal may lead to the cancellation of your procedure.

If you have a new piercing, it is crucial to speak with your doctor well in advance of your appointment. They may approve the use of a non-metallic, inert retainer, such as glass or PTFE, to keep the piercing channel open during the procedure.

Yes, in many cases, non-metallic retainers made from materials like implant-grade silicone, glass, or PTFE are safe for use during medical procedures because they are non-conductive and non-magnetic. Always confirm with your medical team that a retainer is acceptable for your specific procedure.

For an X-ray or CT scan, you typically only need to remove piercings if they are in the area being scanned, as they can interfere with the image. For example, you would need to remove a nipple piercing for a chest X-ray. It's always best to follow the technician's instructions.

Yes. A tongue piercing can interfere with a surgeon's ability to safely intubate a patient for general anesthesia. The jewelry could also potentially cause dental damage or become dislodged during the procedure, posing a choking hazard.

For non-emergency situations, hospitals usually have a policy for storing removed valuables. However, they are not liable for lost or damaged items. In emergencies, jewelry is often cut off and not returned. For expensive or sentimental items, it's safest to leave them at home.

For a planned visit, remove all jewelry beforehand. If you have non-removable piercings, contact the hospital or your doctor to discuss using an inert retainer. In an emergency, inform staff of your piercings upon arrival and state which ones are valuable or difficult to remove.