This is an error of thinking. Abuse doesn't become OK because it saves children. Try an equivalent scenario. Suppose you'd been hired to wait on tables and given vague hints that it might get rowdy but not explicitly warned you could get pushed or even slapped?
Or experienced low-grade abuse which was nevertheless demeaning & upsetting and quite possibly intimidating. What would you think a proportionate response? Public condemnation? Compensation? Assurances this would not happen again? Or return of profits from kids hospital?