9-1-1: "Is there anybody that's willing to help this lady and not let her die?"
Glenwood Gardens: "Um, not at this time."
A controversial 9-1-1 call has left many outraged, and is raising questions about what senior facilities will, and won't, do for their residents.
You just heard the 9-1-1 dispatcher pleading with a nurse to keep an elderly woman from dying... But the nurse refused.
And now, an investigation is underway at the Bakersfield facility to determine if any criminal wrongdoing was committed...
Local independent living facilities say it's a case of principle versus policy... And in this case, principle should've won.
From the looks of it, you'd think it was some high class resort...
Actually, it's meant to feel that way...
You've got a restaurant and a bar inside... There's even a gym.
And the staff here is very accommodating... Looking after everyone on board to make sure they have a safe and comfortable ride.
So you'd never expect such an enraging phone call to 9-1-1 from a place like this.
9-1-1: "We need to get CPR started that's not enough, okay? Um, let me..."
Glenwood: "Yeah, we can't do CPR at this facility."
9-1-1: "Okay, then hand the phone...Hand the phone to the passerby. If you can't do it. I need...Hand it to the passerby. I'll have her do it."
This is what happened at Glenwood Gardens in Bakersfield...
An elderly woman collapsed in the dining room of the facility.
Despite the call to 9-1-1, staff members would not administer CPR.
It's against company policy...
9-1-1: "Is there anybody that's willing to help this lady and not let her die?"
Glenwood Gardens: "Um, not at this time."
In a statement, Glenwood Gardens said, "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."
Clint Fowler, Fairwinds Independent Living: "Our team is ready. They're trained, and they'll make the right calls."
Independent living administrators we spoke with say it boils down to the policies that are in place, and how employees should respond.
At Fairwinds in north Fresno, general manager Clint Fowler has been fielding policy calls all day from residents and their family members.
He says the policy in an emergency is to assist residents at the drop of a hat.... And that staff members, like Jessica McCune, are trained for CPR.
"There are certain things that is the right thing to do. That doesn't mean it's company policy. But it's worth getting in a little bit of trouble if you're doing the right thing by that person."
Fairwinds general manager Clint Fowler says if the nurse would've taken a chance and saved the woman's life, she could've been protected by the Good Samaritan Law...
It is intended to reduce the hesitation to assist, for fear of being prosecuted for injury or wrongful death.
The daughter of the victim says she's satisfied with care her mother was given, and has requested privacy.
Meanwhile, Glenwood Gardens is conducting a thorough review.
TXT 24
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