Tri-Cities nurse suspended after being accused of using unapproved medical devices

The license of a Tri-Cities registered nurse has been suspended after she was accused of treating patients with medical devices not approved by the Food and Drug Administration and without the supervision of a doctor.

Karren Louise Garton offered vaginal “rejuvenation” or vaginal cosmetic procedures, according to the Washington state Department of Health.

Her license was indefinitely suspended because she failed to reply to a charge of unprofessional conduct by an Oct. 19 deadline.

Garton told the Tri-City Herald that there was a delay in receiving the charging document and that she has been dealing with the serious illness of a family member.

But she has since hired an attorney and is working to get her license reinstated.

She has been licensed as a registered nurse since 1990 and was a licensed practical nurse before that for a total of 40 years without a charge filed against her, she said.

According to state documents she offered the rejuvenation treatment initially at space she rented at Sculpt Tri-Cities in Kennewick and later at her house.

She advertised that the procedure could promote vaginal health after menopause, improve sex and help with incontinence.

However, the FDA has not approved any energy-based medical device for those treatments, the Department of Health said.

She may apply to have her license reinstated, but first must pay $5,575 in restitution to three patients listed in charging documents, according to state documents.

She treated one for incontinence, one for incontinence and vaginal tightening, and took money from the third for three treatments that were not provided, according to the Department of Health.

This story was originally published December 29, 2021 at 10:34 AM.