911 call: Nurse refuses to perform CPR on elderly woman
When Lorraine Bayless collapsed, a staff member at Glenwood Gardens called 911 but refused to give the 87-year-old CPR
LA Times
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Bakersfield fire dispatcher Tracey Halvorson pleaded with the woman on the other end of the line, begging her to start CPR on an elderly woman who was barely breathing. “It’s a human being,” Halvorson said, speaking quickly. “Is there anybody that’s willing to help this lady and not let her die?”
The woman paused. “Um, not at this time.” On a 911 tape released by the Bakersfield Fire Department, the woman on the other end of the line told Halvorson that she was a nurse at Glenwood Gardens, a senior living facility in Bakersfield. But on Tuesday, the nurse refused to give the woman CPR, saying it was against the facility’s policy for staff to do so, according to the tape.
The elderly woman was identified by KGET-TV (Channel 17) as 87-year-old Lorraine Bayless. She died Tuesday at Mercy Hospital Southwest, KGET reported. In the tape, a different Glenwood Gardens employee said that an elderly woman had passed out in the facility’s dining room while eating.
Full story: Nurse refused to give CPR to elderly woman who later died
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Kevin Crowe Sunday, March 03, 2013 12:32:23 PM Maybe she was dnr? Kevin Crowe Sunday, March 03, 2013 12:34:38 PM Nevermind, it states she did NOT have a dnr the very last line. Bitches.
Rob Sitek Sunday, March 03, 2013 12:33:49 PM This is by far the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. 
Patriotic Voices Sunday, March 03, 2013 12:34:47 PM Oh that's a massive lawsuit just waiting to happen. I'll be surprised if that nurse retains her license. 
George Gaines Sunday, March 03, 2013 12:35:45 PM So ifshe a DNR why did she call EMS? This is bad real bad. Kevin Crowe Sunday, March 03, 2013 12:41:37 PM George, she was a full code NOT a dnr but you pose the question I ask all the time. Why the nursing homes call 911 when you get there and have a signed DNR.
Sandi Morrison Sunday, March 03, 2013 12:55:29 PM I asked the same thing to nursing staff one time and I was told that it is their policy when they are sick and in distress to send them out for eval rather than keep them in the facility as it was their policy cause the ER could make them more comfortable by way of morphine. I know when my grandmother was dying and had a DNR we had to find a facility that allowed hospice services specifically within their policy cause not every nursing home would take her.
Amy Williams Britain Sunday, March 03, 2013 3:15:57 PM Kevin, sometimes they call 911 because they don't know off hand who has a dnr and who doesn't. Some facilities keep that in their files and not everyone has access. In some cases, nurses are off duty so the other staff can't get to the order. So they call 911 first then the on-call nurse. It's better to start ems just in case. Its better to stop CPR once the order is found, than to decide few mins into the call ti start CPR because they couldn't find it. :) Sandi Morrison Sunday, March 03, 2013 12:37:59 PM it said in the video she did not have a DNR. Absolutely ridiculous! That place should be shut down how stupid to include such a thing in your policy. Sandi Morrison Sunday, March 03, 2013 12:43:55 PM How can a place like that include such a policy that their staff cannot perform CPR!?! They should have everyone CPR certified since you are a community for senior citizen's. What a disregard for life itself and lack of compassion for others. I hope they shut that place down or sue the balls off of them.
Casey Holman Sunday, March 03, 2013 12:38:44 PM BS everybody signs a duty to act EMS FIRE POLICE AND NURSE'S. 
Randy Bruns Sunday, March 03, 2013 3:07:38 PM Unfortunately, there are many exended care facilities that no longer require their staff to be CPR certified and allow employees to opt out of performing CPR while working. It is a liability issue and a cost-saving method.
Eddie Almstrom Sunday, March 03, 2013 4:16:46 PM actually to be licensed as a nurse the State REQUIRES you to be cerified with BLS for Healthcare provider.. and a nurse answers to the state above everyone..
Kamie Rupp-Hagey Monday, March 04, 2013 5:48:14 AM State nursing license and CPR or BCLS are different. You don't have to carry one to have the other! Rob Sitek Sunday, March 03, 2013 12:39:08 PM I think the only way they could not be sued is if it is in the lease that they do not help patients medically. 
MaryAnn Faulkner Taylor Sunday, March 03, 2013 12:39:19 PM I pray the facility where my 92 yr. old mother lives NEVER would allow something like this to happen. I do not believe they would. How awful! Amy Williams Britain Sunday, March 03, 2013 3:10:20 PM I would check into that. There is a similar policy at the assisted living place I worked at.
Ed Soler Sunday, March 03, 2013 12:39:34 PM no, matter what the facility policy its made their is negligence by the nurse stating she is a nurse right there she fail to do what she oath to do when she graduated and can be held responsible by the authorities, she should of started CPR no matter what or give the phone to someone else. 
Brianna Beaver Sunday, March 03, 2013 12:41:10 PM This is disgusting! She may have signed something at the facility saying she wouldn't attempt CPR but as a nurse and on duty she had a duty to act and should get her license revoked. If they don't want their residences to have nursing care and its an independent facility without care like that then they should not hire nurses. Furthermore they should be able to let their staff do CPR with the instruction of the 911 dispatcher beings they instruct lay people everyday who've never been trained to administer CPR until help arrives. It's an ethical problem and as a human being let alone a nurse she failed. 
Tracy Jillard Sunday, March 03, 2013 12:44:31 PM I'd like to say I can't believe it, but I have seen too much to say it. I often wonder how these people sleep at night. 
Joanne Di Tomasso Sunday, March 03, 2013 12:45:06 PM I agree with Eduardo! I am a retired paramedic and I am shocked that a health professional would even respond in that way. I don't care what the company policy is, what are you a lion with no heart or a human being with the respect of others and their well being. I believe a pure stranger on the street would of tried saving that poor woman. Shame on the nurse, I truly hope she loses her license because she noes not have the heart to be a good nurse and I hope she is held criminally responsible for loss of human life. I am glad that was not my mother because I would be in jail for what I would of done to that nurse. Sandi Morrison Sunday, March 03, 2013 12:51:06 PM I agree! Shame on her for not acting and I hope she looses her license. I would rather loose my job and know I did everything in my power for this woman rather than not and risk everything else in life. To have such a policy, so they say as no one has seen it yet, is ridiculous! You are a community for senior citizen's for goodness sake.
Jonathan A. Romero Sunday, March 03, 2013 12:47:16 PM California Dept of Health should be notified, consequently, the facility should be closed down and EVERY NURSE IN THAT FACILITY SHOULD HAVE THEIR CERTIFICATIONS PULLED and never be allowed to work in a facility that renders ANY kind of medical care. 
Lee Hart Sunday, March 03, 2013 12:49:30 PM Not defending any one, but have we heard the whole story? Ed Soler Sunday, March 03, 2013 1:01:00 PM has far Im concerned she had a duty to act and she didnt that enough for me. no matter what the facility policy was.
Ashley Bielema Sunday, March 03, 2013 12:49:33 PM I can't believe the woman who claims to be a nurse would hold her job to b.
e more important than a woman's life. I hope she is saddened by the death of the woman she could have attempted to save.That facility should be shut down. It is the responsibility of all human beings to help one another when it is needed. That policy is BS I wouldn't let my family live there. 
Maddy Hartman Sunday, March 03, 2013 1:14:38 PM wow thats all bs.....the director said they had no nurses yet the one making the call to 911 was a nurse. Then the daughter says shes satisfied with the care her mother received. crazy! Make sure to check all policies at places like this.
Maria Kowalski Zwiefka Sunday, March 03, 2013 12:49:40 PM It's because the this country has become litigious... (for those of you not familiar that means Lawsuit Happy). Ed Soler Sunday, March 03, 2013 12:59:54 PM If she didn't said anything has far has I am a Nurse that wouldn't be an Issue it would be a ok concerned citizen who is affraid nothing else but she state I'm a nurse that's when everything went south and when she said I'm a nurse she has the duty to act where she failed misserable, this is a big lawsuit I hope that the family member don't get their brain wash up, and just recieved monetary settlement for this, I hope they go all the way to the courts and have every single nurse that was there have their licenses pull off, I had my mother on a nursing facility and I asked about codes and what there protocols are and to show me their protocols if I didn't feel that the protocol was ok I would go to another facility. I hope she does get her license pull up. 
Joseph Holloway Sunday, March 03, 2013 1:01:19 PM I use to be with fire rescue and we was told no matter what happens do cpr unless the have a do not resesitate order (dnr) I would have cpr no matter what I was told to save someone life when u take that duty you should do your job! 
Kara Onsrud Sunday, March 03, 2013 1:09:52 PM And with DNRs at least in the state of WI they have to be there for us to view, if I leave on a call as First Responder and the victim's spouse says the victim has a DNR but they cannot show it to us we still have a duty to act and have to do CPR. I am not sure if that is the case in other states but that is the way it is here
Charlie Wilkins Sunday, March 03, 2013 1:06:27 PM If you're a facility that refuses to perform CPR and what not, why would you allow non-DNR patient's to live there? 
John Adams Sunday, March 03, 2013 1:16:35 PM Bad part is the patient daughter who is a nurse said she has no problems with how her mother was treated ..... She must get everything in the will
Tim Cunningham Sunday, March 03, 2013 1:15:50 PM As a 911 calltaker I have to say this happens more often than most people would like to think. I've personally been hung up on by a caretaker in a similar situation. If anything, I have an easier time doing CPR with laypeople than professionals. 
Bill Mason Sunday, March 03, 2013 1:20:51 PM We can only hope that one day Karma returns the favor... She's no nurse, she's an autonomous policy following robot... 
Stephan Saint Sunday, March 03, 2013 1:20:57 PM I question whether or not she was a nurse. Nurses (like EMTs/Parmedics, and pretty much any licensed professional) have a legal duty to act in all 50 states.
I think the news got it a little wrong... Stephan Saint Sunday, March 03, 2013 1:24:11 PM Ha! She says she's a nurse! Well, either she lied, or she's a bad nurse.
Maria Burns Sunday, March 03, 2013 3:34:41 PM Yeah, I saw that last night. The 911 call tape has the caller stating that her management won't let anyone administer CPR due to liability issues.
Chris Wood Sunday, March 03, 2013 1:22:37 PM Must have been legal day to die at the Not so care facility. 
Dave Springer Sunday, March 03, 2013 1:28:39 PM May this worthless excuse of a nurse first loose her license, then go to jail, and then burn in hell for all eternity. May her employers do likewise. 
Jody Hagar Sunday, March 03, 2013 1:40:19 PM As a 911 operator, we get this ALL the time! I hope the family pulls their head out of their butt and sues. This is disgusting, nurses are suppose to act and help. Shame on this facility. I hope the state steps in and shuts it down. 
T Rob Marshall T Sunday, March 03, 2013 1:42:50 PM First if you are going to called your facility a "skilled nursing facility" and offer "nursing services" I would think that having people trained in CPR would be part of the requirements to work there. This is NO excuse to not perform CPR. 
Beverly Martell Catanzaro Sunday, March 03, 2013 1:47:32 PM This is horrible and disgusting! unbeleivabe that the womens own daughter is "satisfied with the care her mom got t this facility, If anyone just stood by and watched my mother or father die becasue they are refusing to do CPR or get someone to do it- I would be beyond bullshit. 
Raymond Jameson Sunday, March 03, 2013 1:48:15 PM The problem is MOST if not ALL of these "Assisted Living Facilities" are No Code - No CPR facilities. Don't even know if they are allowed to do CPR on staff that might have a sudden event. They are calling 9-1-1 as a CYA for themselves. They exist only to suck the last few dollars from the residents till they have no more or they go to a Medicare funded facility. 
Steve Rowland Sunday, March 03, 2013 1:54:56 PM Unfortunately I have seen this apathy in Nursing Home staff on more than one occasion over my 38 years in EMS. I truly believe it is due to burnout by the staff. There are very few NH's with adequate funding and/or staff to deal with the chronic care requirements of the elderly. The lack of geriatric specialists is part of the problem. All too often nursing homes become nothing more that a dumping ground for patients that require more specialized treatment but never get it. Staff see patients ignored by their families, diabetic patients being brought sugary treats, clothing purchased that is too difficult to dress the patients in and this is from the families! Administrative staff who are interested in the bottom line and nothing more. I have seen deli gloves issued to staff to use to clean up feces and urine and have felt so badly for the staff that I have "loaned" them a box of nitrile gloves to protect themselves. I will not be taken alive into a nursing home and I have a pact with more than 60 people who agree with me. I do not condone what this nurse did, but I can understand why she did it. 
Troy Chese Sunday, March 03, 2013 2:13:55 PM Don't worry I've still got ya covered!!! You won't even see it coming. Beverly Martell Catanzaro Sunday, March 03, 2013 2:01:55 PM I cant understand why anyone would do this - stand by and watch someone die - I don't care about lawsuits and liability bullshit - they let a human being die. 
Christine Graboski Breen Sunday, March 03, 2013 2:32:35 PM be in the nursing field if they won't do cpr.
Chris Starkey Sunday, March 03, 2013 2:04:41 PM it wouldn't suprise me to ave a company hold ajob ver somones head hea in wv I was written up for not lettin a mental patient stab me. not letting a mntalptient stab me ifshe woud have been fired for prforming cpr she could have had a fight o her handswith unemployment, human rights comission state dhhr and the state oems office would hve backed her up but ot many people want to fear loosing there jobs to do the right thing. when people lives ae at stake sometimes we in es have seconds ro make a descision she had minutes and still was afraid f loosing her job I think the state lisiencing comision needs to look into there practces. Chris Starkey Sunday, March 24, 2013 5:20:11 PM agreed let then fire me for saveing a life i'm shure the un employement office would loce to hear that argument for termanation
Polly Birmingham Sunday, March 03, 2013 2:06:29 PM Absolutely bloody disgusting, I don't care what policy there is in place, morality and humanity over rides any policy in my book. 
Shawn S Grant Sunday, March 03, 2013 2:13:32 PM Not to be counter to everyone else, but the article didn't say the woman later died because the nurse didn't giver her CPR. Not that that excuses her, but it sounds like they are trying to sensationalize it by adding that on there. My point being even if the lady had given her CPR she may have still died. Beverly Martell Catanzaro Sunday, March 03, 2013 2:23:02 PM the fact is that yes if the nurse or anyone else gave her cpr she still could have died , but without receiving cpr she was going to die 100% chance - I wouldnt be able to live with myslef, especially being a nurse watching someone die and not attempt to save them ! If i was there visiting someone I would have grabbed the phone and took the instruction from 911 to help the lady ! 
Melissa Gromley Sunday, March 03, 2013 2:19:41 PM This pisses me off. That nurse should be arrested and tried for murder with her facility. 
Rina Chiba Sunday, March 03, 2013 2:32:02 PM This is disgusting. It's people like that heartless nurse that make me think there is no hope for humanity.
Christopher O'Brien Sunday, March 03, 2013 2:19:44 PM Do your nursing homes have AED's though? While this is deplorable, I had a state senator REFUSE to bring up an AED in nursing home bill up to a vote, citing the nursing home industry as the reason. 
Bret Carlson Sunday, March 03, 2013 2:31:42 PM CPR can be done by anybody, a 98 year old lady to a 6 year old, it's not that hard to be a competent compassionate human.... Then again apparently it's a bit to much for some 
Josh Bethune Sunday, March 03, 2013 2:35:53 PM SOunds like that broad needs fired. Want to be nurse. Glad she ain't a nurse here. 
Laura Blanchard Sunday, March 03, 2013 2:40:34 PM So if a person lets themselves be admitted to that facility knowing there's no CPR policy, then why is everyone getting so upset? This is not the only facility that I know of that does not preform CPR. Maybe instead of getting mad at the nurse, one should look at the facility. Or better yet, lets all just leave it alone. Christopher O'Brien Sunday, March 03, 2013 2:42:07 PM Most people don't know the policy of a nursing home - in fact most people expect the care is standard everywhere and it goes without saying that if there's nurses, you expect nursing care.
Mike Gatti Sunday, March 03, 2013 3:00:27 PM HOW CAN YOU BE SATISFIED WITH THE CARE YOUR MOTHER GOT WHEN A NURSE REFUSED TO DO CPR BECAUSE HER JOB IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN A LIFE.... I HOPE YOUR CERTIFICATION GETS REVOKED AND YOU CAN NEVER BE A NURSE EVER AGAIN..... I KNOW AT THE VNA'S I GO TO THEY WILL CPR IF I TELL THEM TO.... DAUGHTER PROBABLY WAS JUST HAPPY TO GET HER MOMS LIFE INSURANCE PAY OUT. Mike Gatti Sunday, March 03, 2013 3:28:02 PM granted a vna or (visiting nurse assistance) does not have nurses dedicated to the patient, they are there to just incase something happens the patient has to be able to live on there own and take there own meds and such. but god damn this is the stupidest thing i've ever seen
Matthew MacDonald Sunday, March 03, 2013 4:08:23 PM That's appalling. What kind of ridiculous policy is that where staff at an ELDERLY housing facility refuse to help a resident in need. And a nurse on top of that?! . The fact that only the dispatcher seemed to be flummoxed by this makes me a little sick. Even the daughter of the patient was happy with the care? Gross. Mike Gatti Sunday, March 03, 2013 4:09:24 PM i know right. you know our vna facilities they would do cpr if instructed or get some one to do it not just be like nope not gonna do that Amy Williams Britain Sunday, March 03, 2013 3:08:02 PM This sounds like a dumb policy at the facility I worked at. However, policy or not I made the staff very aware that if it came down to it I would still do CPR. I would rather lose my job than watch someone die because of what I didn't do. This is very disturbing because as a nurse you still have a responsibility. This woman should be ashamed of herself because morally this is just wrong. 
Julie A. Pedersen Sunday, March 03, 2013 3:21:21 PM DNR? If a DNR was in place for that woman, then legally the nurse was correct. 
Thomas Turner Sunday, March 03, 2013 3:25:35 PM It would be interesting to take a look at the Policy and Procedures Manual for facilities in our Town (Or any Town for that matter and see how they address an issue of this type. 
Elaine Arnott Sunday, March 03, 2013 6:56:52 PM I cannot believe that CPR was not given to save this woman's life-very disturbing.
Debbie VanMeter Sunday, March 03, 2013 4:12:03 PM Nurses are held liable by the STATE in which they are licensed to perform as any other nurse in the same situation! As a REAL NURSE....I say take her license! 
John Cork Sunday, March 03, 2013 4:42:05 PM License revoked for both the nurse and the facility. That is about as disgusting a display of negligence as I have ever heard. How dare she deny someone a lifesaving procedure, especially when she has a duty to act. This begs the question though, how many facilities have policies like that on their books? 
Sheri Hussain Sunday, March 03, 2013 4:48:49 PM I'm a bit confused as to why this has happened. You don't have to be cpr-certified to provide immediate assistance. We've been told that even just pumping their chests as hard as you can will help in the interim till paramedics arrive. This whole situation is shameful. 
Evelyn Lopez Sunday, March 03, 2013 4:59:45 PM I went for a job interview at a senior living facility in MD and was told that if I saw someone choking or needing CPR that I was not allowed to perform any first aid on them. I was only allowed to call 911. I did not accept the position because I would not be able to just sit there and watch someone die. I believe though that when people move into a place like that, they sign something stating that they know the staff will not provide first aid. Very sad. I am sure the nurse feels horrible :(. Evelyn Lopez Sunday, March 03, 2013 5:00:41 PM I should add that the position I was applying for was as a leasing agent, not a nurse. 
Kimberly Presley Newman Sunday, March 03, 2013 5:07:33 PM what it doesn't say is whether or not the woman had a DNR. if she did then the nurse was right. Tim Cunningham Sunday, March 03, 2013 5:10:50 PM There's an update at the last line of the story that states she did not have a DNR.
Samantha Bennett Sunday, March 03, 2013 7:52:37 PM The reporter clearly stated that the resident DID NOT have a DNR in place.
Lula Belle Sunday, March 03, 2013 5:08:17 PM What an imbecile. 
Maureen Walsh Carlucci Sunday, March 03, 2013 5:26:39 PM Charges will be brought to them.. That was disgraceful and inhumane. I wouldn't want an animal treated that way
Tausha Choate Sunday, March 03, 2013 5:31:40 PM This lady should not be a nurse! How can u call yourself a nurse and stand by while someone is actively dying and not do anything !? Policy or not I would have done CPR.... Kamie Rupp-Hagey Sunday, March 03, 2013 6:01:16 PM Nurses take an oath to do no harm. But if it is the policy of the facility, she only did her job. I know it is appauling. I don't know how a human being with a conscience could stand by and do nothing and watch this lady die! 
Adam Galli Sunday, March 03, 2013 8:34:03 PM Toomer... Tumor, an unwanted growth that needs to be removed 
John Hood Sunday, March 03, 2013 8:54:29 PM I'm thinking their may be a violation fo California's Nurse Practice Act here. It will be interesting to see. 
Anthony Freire Monday, March 04, 2013 5:39:34 AM I am a mental health professional... and I have worked at places with policies that were in direct opposition to my oath as a mental health professional. I often refused to follow protocol because it went against the very nature of my profession and against my professional code of ethics. I answer to the state not to any facility and should anything ever go wrong, MY license is on the line, not the facility's. With that said, this nurse should lose her license for putting company protocol before her duty to perform. 
Irena Jurakova Monday, March 04, 2013 12:22:40 PM They said on tv that the family was good with that how things went....... Hmm....
Susan Hodos Tuesday, March 12, 2013 4:55:36 PM Right on. I have felt that same conflict and I have always made the right choice-the one that supports our oath as professionals-which sometimes is in conflict with our bosses. I am presently in private practice and finally don't have to answer to anyone, except the state,or feds which rarely happens.
Krista Lanko Monday, March 04, 2013 8:20:05 AM I am trained in CPR I am a PCA we are told to do CPR but if they have a DNR legally we cannot do CPR. If they don't have a DNR then yes you better believe we do CPR. These stories and the media don't portray the stories well. But if she is a nurse and the lady did pass out from eating or was choking then that is a whole different ball game. We are all trained in CPR and choking etc. Krista Lanko Monday, March 04, 2013 8:22:11 AM Now because of these types of stories our facilities we work in are being stereo typed and EMS will come thinking we don't know what we are doing and that is not right or the case. I have been at my facility 9 years I love my job I know what I am doing and yes with a valid DNR I would do CPR yes. Krista Lanko Monday, March 04, 2013 9:07:18 AM How many times have I heard oh they are old they are going to die why bother??? really I understand but if they do not have a valid DNR they have a right to have something done its our job to see that their wishes are granted. I also have been asked why dont you make your facility all have DNR's really you want to go there??? you are taking their choice away and you cannot do that legally. Not to point the finger but the people that say or ask these things are health care workers as well, that shows me that you are lazy and dont care. You get upset about something like this story above but then you make comments like that. Krista Lanko Monday, March 04, 2013 8:58:49 AM Also another mis conception and stero type I get a lot is oh they are old they are going to die? Really? and then why didn't you make your facilites all DNRs that is so wrong on so many levels and so heartless and legally you can not do that you are taking their right away to choose. But unfortunately that has and I have heard so many EMS say that. Sad but true. If this story horriefies you as EMS and makes you mad why do you say those things? That just tells me you don't care just because their old the don't have the right to choose or live? Krista Lanko Monday, March 04, 2013 9:00:37 AM the elderly are people and human beings as well and when something happens to them it makes me sad and when I go to work I treat them like my family member. It makes me sad when others cannot see this as a PCA I am an advocate for the elderly and I do what I am supposed to but not just trained as I see fit. 
Jessica Huth Monday, March 04, 2013 3:19:37 PM It's ashame. I've worked as a cna in a nursing home, and an emt. Even though it is required to be CPR certified, we were not permitted to act on it. 
Diane Jones Tuesday, March 05, 2013 12:44:18 AM And even if she had a DNR, what about if she was just choking on food, or had an allergic reaction? Would they just sit there and watch her die? I thought DNR meant don't bring back from dead, but if the patient is not dead he/she will still get some help. I'm appalled to learn that a nurse can just refuse to help you, I mean, you would think you are safe with them, but that's obvioulsy wrong. This is really scary and has to be fixed. 
Mike Senecal Tuesday, March 05, 2013 10:19:23 AM I would like to remind everyone that we do not have the full story. I hope a in depth investigation is completed and then proper action is taken. I would not rush to judgement from information in a newspaper article.
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