Didnt attemp CPR to a rigor mortis patient

[Nar09]

Hello,

I am here for a co-worker that's very stress out regarding the incident that just happened at the facility where we're working for. Per her statement, she walked in to a patient's apartment and found him laying on his side unresponsive, blue-purple in color, very stiff and cold. She called for help from co-workers that was working that time but nobody responded. She called 9-1-1 and stated resident wasn't breathing and the operator told her lay the resident flat and perform CPR (operator didn't know that patient is in rigor mortis). Also, she was all by herself by that time. Few minutes later, helped came and turned the patient on his back. She explained to the operator that patient is very stiff (one arm on the air, one leg is on the other, other arm is curled next to head). The operator then stated "oh so he's beyond cpr?" and she answered "yes!". Then operator transferred call to fire department and give same information. But the fire department didn't instructed her to perform CPR. No CPR attempted until paramedics came When they arrived, they announced that patient is in rigor mortis and called fire department no need to come.

Police Dept came for investigations, family and RN came (it happened weekend so no RN on duty).

Later, DSHS was involved and did an investigation. DSHS arrived in our facility and asked questions for protocol for unconscious patient. Then, DSHS representative asked to talk to my co-worker regarding what happened. Also she (DSHS) asked her (co-worker) if CPR was attempted.

Now, my questions is. 1 Is it serious (bad) when DSHS involved? OR is it just a standard procedure for them to get involved? 2 Is she gonna lose her license for not attempting CPR as CNA (since the protocol in our facility to perform CPR until paramedics arrive) even resident is in rigor mortis ? Resident signed for DNR on his POLST form.

Please help! She's very stressed out and I felt bad for her being concerned that she might lose her job. She's been working in the facility for 5 years.

[kunturblessings]

Hello,

I am here for a co-worker that's very stress out regarding the incident that just happened at the facility where we're working for. Per her statement, she walked in to a patient's apartment and found him laying on his side unresponsive, blue-purple in color, very stiff and cold. She called for help from co-workers that was working that time but nobody responded. She called 9-1-1 and stated resident wasn't breathing and the operator told her lay the resident flat and perform CPR (operator didn't know that patient is in rigor mortis). Also, she was all by herself by that time. Few minutes later, helped came and turned the patient on his back. She explained to the operator that patient is very stiff (one arm on the air, one leg is on the other, other arm is curled next to head). The operator then stated "oh so he's beyond cpr?" and she answered "yes!". Then operator transferred call to fire department and give same information. But the fire department didn't instructed her to perform CPR. No CPR attempted until paramedics came When they arrived, they announced that patient is in rigor mortis and called fire department no need to come.

Police Dept came for investigations, family and RN came (it happened weekend so no RN on duty).

Later, DSHS was involved and did an investigation. DSHS arrived in our facility and asked questions for protocol for unconscious patient. Then, DSHS representative asked to talk to my co-worker regarding what happened. Also she (DSHS) asked her (co-worker) if CPR was attempted.

Now, my questions is. 1 Is it serious (bad) when DSHS involved? OR is it just a standard procedure for them to get involved? 2 Is she gonna lose her license for not attempting CPR as CNA (since the protocol in our facility to perform CPR until paramedics arrive) even resident is in rigor mortis ? Resident signed for DNR on his POLST form.

Please help! She's very stressed out and I felt bad for her being concerned that she might lose her job. She's been working in the facility for 5 years.

I believe that CPR is done only when the resident's code is "Full Code." If DNR, then do what the code stands for "Do not resuscitate."

[merrywhiterose]

I work at a Long-Term Facility. We were told that if the person is a Full Code, even if they are "stiff as a board", we are required to do CPR until EMS arrives. We can call someone that is a DNR as deceased, but not one that is a Full Code. Does that make sense? We were told it's to so we won't get sued by family members. There should be a written law that if someone has rigor mortis, no CPR has to be done, no matter what the code status.

[toomuchbaloney]

The thing is, we saw this patient day before he died. His vitals is elevated. oxygen level down to 84-85%..pulse up to 100s..b/p is normal. He was whizzing really bad. He was brought to urgent care. He came back in the facility with a prescription for albuterol and anti-biotic (for bronchitis, per urgent care staffs). Also, he used to take lasix,pottasium and metropolol medications which got discontinued few weeks before he died. We assumed it contributed to his death? Maybe...maybe not...

You are describing a patient who is in the process of dying. That is what they look like and sound like most of the time.

He had a DNR, no CPR was indicated even if he was warm and floppy.