No Charges in CPR Case

Over the past several days, people from around the country have expressed their concern over the situation that occured in California when a staff member of an assisted living facility refused to do CPR.  From that time, multiple news agencies became involved, EMS providers became involved, and people that were concerned with the situation overall became involved.  Now, as more information becomes available the light flips on and other thoughts begin to go through a persons head. 

Tonight, NBC published a new article with the headline of "Police: No charges against nurse who refused to do CPR"  The article by NWS News Contributor stated that:

          "Criminal charges will not be filed against anyone involved in the case of an

           elderly California woman who collapsed at a retirement home and later

           died after a nurse refused a 911 dispatcher’s pleas to perform CPR, police

           in Bakersfield, Calif., said Wednesday"

 

I know the comments are going to continue coming in, but we need to look at this as a whole.  When individuals listened to the tape it came across that the individual made the decision that she wasn't going to do CPR, nor was she going to do anything else other than make the initial call to 911.  We were informed that this was the policy of the location, and that was why the denial was made.  Now, the family has stated that they appreciated what was done, and that their mother went the way that she wanted to.  I think that this is a matter of a lack of education and communication on behalf of the staff member.  If the family signed up to have their mother live at this facility knowing that this was a policy, then they have a right to know that when it comes to this type of situation their wishes will be honored.  However, when the dispatcher began to beg and plead for somebody to do CPR, the nurse could have expressed her thoughts a different way.

 

Just two weeks ago my grandmother passed away.  As I mentioned in a prior Combomedic post, this was a tragic blow for EMS due to the history that she possessed in the field.  When my mother called 911, the EMS dispatcher was able to get the EMS/Fire units enroute then returned to the line asking if she wanted her to provide CPR instructions to be given.  My mother was present of mind to know that 1.  my grandmother had a living will and a DNR in place that she asked not to have any methods of assistance applied to her, and 2.  she was already showing signs of Rigor and was beyond the useful benefits of CPR.  Now, my mother could have simply stated NO, there was nobody around to do CPR, but she didn't.  She said no thank you, she had an active DNR in place, and she was showing signs of rigor and it wouldn't do any good.  Now the next phone call to me could have been a little better worded, but the primary call to 911 was well thought out.  Could the nurse have said that CPR was being refused because the patient and the family didn't want such activities done on her. 

 

It is my understanding that the nurse in question has volunteered to go on leave during the conflicting time, but I wonder how things are going to go, but we now know there won't be any charges levied against her.  What do you think?

 

Take care and Stay Safe.

 

 

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