"Not at this time." That was the chilling, emotionless response by the nurse at the assisted living facility to the passionate request of the 911 operator to grab a passerby - anyone - to assist with CPR when one of the residents was stricken with breathing difficulties and the employee refused to do anything.
The phone call went on for at least seven interminable minutes with the 911 operator repeatedly pleading with the caller. The pain and disbelief in the 911 operator's voice was heart-wrenching. Sadly, but not unexpectedly, the stricken woman later died at the hospital. I can only imagine what her final moments were like. No caring, concerned help offered to her in her time of need.
Apparently the assisted living facility in which the 87-year-old victim resided had a "no CPR" policy. The "loving" daughter of the victim had no problem with the treatment of her dear mother. Riddle me this: exactly what kind of "assisted living" does the facility provide? Did the daughter deliberately seek a place to stash her Mom that would not help her if/when she needed it most? Does the policy cover employees or visitors or anyone under the facility's roof who might need CPR as the result of choking? Or are only paying customers deserving of such a heartless policy? What are the ramifications of brain damage that could result from lack of oxygen if the woman had survived in spite of the basic care that was withheld?
I pray that I never have to place a family member in an assisted living residence but if I do I will have to make sure that they do not have such an despicable deadly policy. Rather, I will select one that will cherish life. To paraphrase the late great Ronald Reagan " . . . isn't it our duty to err on the side of life?” Indeed it is, President Reagan. Indeed, it is.
"The home's parent company said in a statement that the employee wrongly interpreted company policy when she declined to offer aide". - From U.S. News on NBCNEWS.com
And to that nurse who took it upon herself to make that fatal life and death decision I remind her of a quote by Hillel, the Elder "If I am not for others, what am I? And if not now, when?"
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