I've been told several times lately that I need to work on something. Apparently, I need to stress less about things I can't control. Sound advice, to be sure. But, it's easier said than done. Especially when it involves life and (avoidable) death.
I read an article this week and then immediately had to read it a second time. It wasn't because of the skill level of the writer or because I couldn't concentrate. No, it was the content. I simply found it unbelievable. Maybe some small part of me hoped that I missed something, or perhaps just reading it again meant the events, somehow, would change. Of course, that didn't happen.
An 87-year-old woman in California named Lorraine Bayliss is dead because a registered nurse refused to give her CPR.
One might assume that the nurse refused to help this woman because she had AIDS or some other communicable disease and she was afraid for her own health. Or maybe Lorraine Bayliss was in a burning car or some other dangerous situation and the nurse couldn't get to her in time. Nope.
Lorraine Bayliss lived at an independent senior living complex called Glenwood Gardens. She collapsed. 911 was called. The dispatcher pleaded with the nurse to give the woman CPR. She refused. Apparently, this Glenwood Gardens actually has a policy that states in the case of an emergency the medics are to be called and no life saving services are to be given.
I'm assuming this policy is in place because of our American society is hellbent on suing everyone for everything. Perhaps the owners are trying to avoid a lawsuit. I get it. But, it's still wrong. Avoiding a lawsuit makes good business sense. It also makes you as compassionate as a cobra.
The nurse in question was defended by the executive director of the establishment. He confirmed their policy, but said an investigation would be conducted. Well, I feel better. I'm sure the woman's family is relieved, as well.
I've read excerpts from the 911 transcript and they're horrifying.
"...is there anybody that's willing to help this lady and not let her die"?
"Not at this time."
Are you kidding me? The dispatcher gets desperate. She asks if there's a gardner, someone walking by, anyone who would perform CPR on this helpless, dying woman. Nope.
Why does this place even employ a nurse? What's the point? It's like hiring a lifeguard and then having a rule forbidding employees to get wet. Why did this woman even take the job? What kind of nurse, no matter what any rules say, stands there, and watches another human being die?
I really hope this nurse obeys every other rule and law with such fervor. I hope she doesn't speed. She better come to a complete stop at every light and stop sign. This woman's mattresses better have that "Do Not Remove Under Penalty of Law" tag. Every damn mattress better have that tag. If not, I hope Inspector 12 throws the book at her. Maybe the Hippocratic Oath, as well.
I read earlier this year that a nurse was fired because she refused to get a flu shot. According to a press release, she was endangering the health of her patients by not getting one. You can't sneeze on a patient, but apparently you can watch one die. Good to know.
Of course, the politicians in California are calling for a review of the laws that allow such a thing to happen. This event has been labeled "a wake up call". You think? As seems to be an American custom, someone has to die tragically and publicly for something that should have been changed years ago to change now.
I'm assuming this nurse's name will soon be leaked. I'm sure she'll be hounded by the press and everyone else. Good. Normally, I'm against such tactics by the press and paparazzi. Not this time. Hound away. Besides, the press have the right of free speech. It's a rule. The nurse should be fine with it.
I keep thinking of Lorraine Bayliss, gasping for air, terrified, confused, looking for help. Did she see the nurse standing there? Did she hear the nurse say she wouldn't give CPR? Did she know the nurse's name? Did she call it out? Did she understand that she was going to die because no one cared enough to help? I hope not. I hope Lorraine saw a blinding light and kept walking until she reached the great beyond.
Maybe I shouldn't stress about it and follow that advice I keep hearing. After all, there's nothing I can do about what happened. No one can.
If I have to choose one way or the other, right now I choose to stress. At least a little. For some reason it makes me feel a bit better. I suppose there are worse things. I could be a nurse who doesn't care enough about the things she can control. Yes, I think that would be much worse.
I am a bit curious. Will this nurse be checking the policy of her living establishment when she's 87? I wonder if she'd be quite so concerned with rules if she was lying on the floor gasping for breath while no one helped. Nah. I'm sure that place will have a nurse there. I'm sure she'd be fine.
That's what nurses do, right? They help people.
After all, what kind of nurse would just stand by and watch another human being die?
