What do you think about the nurse that didn't give CPR?

1. 76

   lilmissmontanaposted 12 years ago

   What do you think about the nurse that didn't give CPR?
   
   Watching the news today, I heard the story about the nurse at the private institute that was instructed NOT to give CPR to the patient even when the 911 operator was begging her to. The patient died.
   
   Would you risk your job to save that person's life?

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2. 95

   peeplesposted 12 years ago

   There are 3 things that come to mind when reading the story today. Why would any facility have that as their policy? Why would anyone sign a contract agreeing to it? How in the world is the nurse going to sleep at night?
   Sad situation.

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   1. 76

      lilmissmontanaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I agree. I don't think I could have just let someone die, knowing I could have had a chance to save their life. I'm not sending anyone I know and love to a facility of that sort.

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3. 72

   lburmasterposted 12 years ago

   I actually know two nurses who, under certain circumstances, refuse to give CPR to individuals. However, I'm much more concerned with the protocol of that retirement home. Who would ever put their family members in there?

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   1. 76

      lilmissmontanaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      My question exactly? I saw on the news that it said the people and families know of the restrictions prior to residency. But why would you do that to someone you love?

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   2. 80

      dailytop10posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I don't mean to judge but it really breaks my heart to see helpless old folks left in retirement homes. They need the love and care of family more than anything else at such point in their life.

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   3. 76

      lilmissmontanaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      dailytop10, I'm with you. I will never put my parents in a home. I would rather bring hospice to my home if they need medical attention. I know the nurses are good people, but I just wouldn't leave someone there.

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   4. 72

      lburmasterposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I entirely agree. For someone to put their parents in that facility, they must not care about them.

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4. 74

   sasanquaposted 12 years ago

   I'd risk it. It's very disappointing that an institute would have that policy. I hadn't heard of this story until now so I don't know all the details (and i'm being too lazy to Google it)

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5. 92

   innerspinposted 12 years ago

   I haven't heard of the story in question. However, CPR can be fairly brutal. Some people end up with broken ribs. The chances of surviving an out of hospital arrest are very low. So maybe the patients and their families at this facility have accepted that sometimes it's kinder to let nature take it's course. Heroic efforts to preserve life may not always be the best option.

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   1. 76

      lilmissmontanaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I suppose that is one way of looking at it. I guess for me, I wouldn't want someone to just let my relative die without trying. But, like you said, it may be nature's course. I'm just selfish with the people I love.

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6. 57

   Alberic Oposted 12 years ago

   If the person has a DNR (do not resuscitate) form, then you, as a nurse or worker at the facility has to abide by that. If you don't, you and/or the company can be sued. Being fired is the least of your worries.
   
   Plus, you are going against the patient's wishes as well. The DNR is a legal document signed by the beneficiary to any medical responder not to resuscitate (such as perform CPR) if a medical emergency arises. It is unclear whether this 87 yr old woman had one but I guess she had one. I would imagine the Independent Living Facility had a policy regarding this though it is not clear. This would explain why the nurse refuse to do CPR. In addition, a person in stress can refuse medical treatment-not an issue in this case though. Recently on the news, the deceased daughter told the media the patient had wished to go peacefully and that the family will not file any complaints or lawsuits.
   
   Personally, in an emergency I would act because I went through combat life savers course and used the skills I learned in real life. When someone has a hemorrhage or suffers, cardiac arrest, breathing issues or choking, every second counts. If she had cardiac arrest, your best bet is to use an AED (the facility should have had one).
   
   Hopefully this cleared some things up for you.

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   1. 76

      lilmissmontanaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I understand and am aware of what a DNR is, however it was not specified that she had one. In the case that she DID NOT, which is how I understood it, I would have acted. That was the question at hand.

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