When is it okay to break the rules?

Drama in California! Police are currently investigating whether any criminal wrongdoing has occurred in the handling of a recent emergency at Glenwood Gardens, an independent living facility.

Apparently, an 87-year-old woman died after a nurse – following the facility’s policy – refused to provide CPR to her after she collapsed in a dining room. The facility is, of course, standing behind their nurse in the investigation.

When the nursing home called 911 after the collapse, police sent the call to the Bakersfield Fire Department, where the dispatcher told the nurse to perform CPR. The nurse refused, explaining that the facility’s policies prevented her from doing so.

“I understand if your boss is telling you, you can’t do it,” the dispatcher said. “But … as a human being … you know, is there anybody that’s willing to help this lady and not let her die?”

“Not at this time,” the nurse answered. They continued to volley back and forth for seven minutes, as the dispatcher asked the nurse to try and find someone outside, not affiliated with the home, who could help. Nothing worked out and the woman passed away at the ER. So what exactly is the policy on CPR? The executive director of Glenwood Gardens, Jeffrey Toomer says that “In the event of a health emergency at this independent living community our practice is to immediately call emergency medical personnel for assistance and to wait with the individual needing attention until such personnel arrives. That is the protocol we followed.”

What do you readers think of this story? Should the nurse have broken the rules? Would you have? Do you think rules like this are important? We’d love to know what you think in the comments below.

Source: Huffington Post

Related reads:

• Breaking the visiting rules
• Nursing rules you’ve never heard
• 100 years of nursing rules – illustrated!