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.
