TCTI: Too Crazy Too Ignore
 Dave Ross
retirement_nursing_eldery_senior_ap640.jpg
A man walks near the main gate of Glenwood Gardens in Bakersfield, Calif., Monday March 4, 2013, where an elderly woman died after a nurse refused to perform CPR on her last week. (AP Photo/Gosia Wozniacka)

The policy is the policy

BY Dave Ross  on March 5, 2013 @ 5:37 am (Updated: 5:59 am - 3/5/13 )

One week ago, at the age of 87, Lorraine Bayless died after collapsing in the dining room at the Glenwood Gardens retirement apartments in Bakersfield, California.

It was an event that wouldn't make the news but for the now-famous recording of a 911 operator begging a staff member named Colleen to give CPR. Colleen instead calls for her boss who confirms that the policy is the policy, and the policy is - we don't do CPR; we wait for the medics.

Which sounds outrageous. Until you ask yourself: What actually happened here? Well, what actually happened was that at the age of 87, a life came to a relatively peaceful end.

If Colleen sounded a little too disengaged, so did the other residents who were on the phone before her. Including one named Amy.

"Is there a defibrillator available there, Amy? Do you guys have one there?" asked the operator.

"No we don't," responded Amy.

Amy sounds quite calm. In fact at no time do you hear anyone crying for help or panicking - probably because they all know the policy.

Not just the policy at Glenwood, but the policy that applies to us all - which states that at some point - life ends. If you're lucky, it doesn't end until you're well into your 80's - but it ends.

We like to think we can change that by declaring an emergency and rushing to the rescue.

In fact, one California legislator says she plans to introduce a bill so this never happens again. Unfortunately, I think outlawing natural death may be more than even the state of California can enforce.

Dave Ross, KIRO Radio Talk Show Host
Dave Ross is co-host of The Ross & Burbank Show on KIRO Radio (weekdays 9-Noon) and never too far from the spotlight.
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Comments (31)


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  • wsualumn wrote...
    Have A Living Will
    March 5, 2013 5:39 am
    If I am of that age, please don't revive me only to have me spend the last few days, weeks, months, or couple years in an even worse physical and mental state. This is a perfect example of how far we have gone to trying to save a life that is ready to end.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • MainEvent wrote...
    this is nothing unusual
    March 5, 2013 5:46 am
    this is a policy all over the country. Why people are outraged beats me. Most residents in these homes have a no revive policy in their wills and contracts. Not only that but with all the petty lawsuits these days why is it a surprise a company and their employees are trying to protect themselves?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Regularjoe44 wrote...
    Just leave me be..
    March 5, 2013 5:48 am
    and let me go if I'm lucky enough to make it to 87. I thought it was interesting I didn't hear anything about a DNR request. From my experience they are pretty common with folks at this advanced age and in this type of facility.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    Yes, I know, BUT............
    March 5, 2013 6:03 am
    Yes the policy is legal.

    Yes, the lady had a do not recessitate order

    And, yes, the 'care' facility probably had liability concerns ... BUT

    It's got to take one heck of a lot of 'training' to just stand by and watch someone die - ESPECIALLY when you ARE a RN, as at least 1 or 2 of those callous staff members were. ............ And, as an RN, I would suspect that California law would have required some action, or at least indemnified whatever CPR one might have initiated.

    .

    There is do not recessitate and there is human caring. ... And one of the reasons we learn CPR is because in at least a majority of cases a person recovers to an existence compatible with living happily a short or long bit longer.

    HEY - If a patient was choking, would that 'care' facility refuse to do a Heinleck maneuver ???????

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • mobeta wrote...
    I don't care anymore and I used too!
    March 5, 2013 6:11 am
    I care about one thing, taking care of my family, Church and friends. I used to care for my fellow man and neighbor but the narcissistic society has caused me to not give a crap anymore. Everyone is on their own, Good friken luck! Especially you democrats who have destroyed society along with all the moral fiber we used to have to love God, country and our fellow man. I am ashamed to be an American! Civil upheaval is coming all by BHO design. Check this out if you don't think this is and can happen. Stock piling billions of rounds of ammo like never before in Homeland security and bought 2700 light armored vehicles! For what you say? Something is coming and only they know what it is. http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2013/03/obama-dhs-purchases-2700-light-armored-tanks-to-go-with-their-1-6-billion-bullet-stockpile/
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • William Lawn wrote...
    Great post, mobeta
    March 5, 2013 7:29 am
    God you people are funny.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • SeattleD wrote...
    Now if the Republicons ran everything the 911 call would have went like this:
    March 5, 2013 6:15 am
    911: What's your emergency?

    Caller: A lady is dying, she's not breathing!

    911: Does she have medical insurance?

    Caller: No, I don't think so.

    911: Does she have a bunch of cash or credit cards with high limits and low balances.

    Caller: No.

    911: Thanks for calling, but we only help those that have the means to help themselves. (click)

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • DesertRez wrote...
    and if Dems ran things
    March 5, 2013 6:25 am
    They would tax what is left of her estate after she worked her whole life and already paid taxes on it. Oh wait they do run things.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • WiIliam Lawn wrote...
    leave it to seattleD(umbass)
    March 5, 2013 6:50 am
    to start a political fight out of this with lies and rhetoric..
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • William Lawn wrote...
    I think the poster "to start a political fight out of this with lies and rhetoric"
    March 5, 2013 7:19 am
    Posted 4 minutes before D.

    Flounder

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • WiIliam Lawn wrote...
    shut up fat flounder
    March 5, 2013 7:24 am
    You sneaking out of your cell before reveille is against policy!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Lonestar wrote...
    The Dimocrat 911 operator
    March 5, 2013 9:02 am
    911: What's your emergency? Caller: A woman is dying. 911: Are you in a union? Caller: Of course. This is California. 911: Whatever you do, do not give CPR. It's not in your collective bargaining agreement. Caller: But she will die. 911: It's OK. Obama's death panel was about to terminate her.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • SeattleD wrote...
    Chris Christie seems to be pretty receptive to Obamacare
    March 5, 2013 6:49 pm
    saying "Accepting these federal resources will provide health insurance to tens of thousand of low-income New Jerseyans, help keep our hospitals financially healthy and actually save money for New Jersey taxpayers."
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • It's me! Ha ha! wrote...
    Just media hype nothing more.
    March 5, 2013 6:27 am
    Many hospitals and nursing homes have this in place. Irregardless of a DNR.

    Express wishes and end stage illness is also reasons for not starting CPR.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • It's me! Ha ha! wrote...
    Now if the Republicons ran everything the 911 call would have went like this:
    March 5, 2013 6:34 am
    Seattle DBAG your Obama DEATH panels will not allow substandard, government run ObamaCare be administered to those of us who did not vote for re immaculation. Those of us on your Dear Leaders enemies list. (YES! I am PROUD to be in that elite group!) Yet we will be taxed to death to pay for all this FREE ObamaCare!

    Parrots like you Dbag voted for this. TWICE!

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • SeattleD wrote...
    I enjoy your agony.
    March 5, 2013 6:13 pm
    I really do.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • sportsguru wrote...
    So
    March 5, 2013 6:50 am

    My question is that if this is standard practice, why is a police investigation taking place? Are they investigating because it made it to the national stage?

    We now have law makers who want to make changes, is it because it went virol? If this would have never went virol, would the police be investigating and laws being asked to be changed to provide assistance for something that has become a national policy?

    I think people like the camera and attention that this is garnering and is playing more for the camera than what is right and/or wrong.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • WiIliam Lawn wrote...
    So Dave.... Well, what actually happened was that at the age of 87, a life came to a relatively peaceful end
    March 5, 2013 7:05 am
    And you know this for a fact? You have some divine intuition to know that there was no point in providing CPR for an 87 year old, and to just let her die? You know because "you're too crazy to ignore" that for certain if she were revived she might not have lived for another year, maybe another 5? So when Obamacare arrives, and government is forced to ration healthcare because of it's insane financial costs, I suppose with your typical ideology you'll be here saying it's good policy not to provide CPR on anyone over 65. After all, they might live and consume more tax payer healthcare costs. So in other words Davey, "Just let the elderly die, they've outlived their usefulness and have become a drain on society." Great policy Dave. Maybe we should put you in charge of the budget, you seem to have a handle on this.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • William Lawn wrote...
    How does one give CPR to a flounder, Flounder?
    March 5, 2013 7:21 am
    .
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • WiIliam Lawn wrote...
    Don't try to figure it out fat flounder
    March 5, 2013 7:26 am
    You'll just confuse yourself.. go back to sleep
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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