Is this true? Stopping to help at accident scene.

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Someone in one of my classes today said that in our state (NC) it was a law that if any medical personnel arrive at the scene of an accident they are required by law to stop and render assistance. Is this true? If so, that is the first I've heard of it. Just curious.

Specializes in Operating Room.
It's not true. I don't stop for accidents where I live. I'll call the police but I will not get out of my car. It just makes you more liable.

Also, it's not safe.... my state there was a woman who stopped to help someone at the side of the road because they were pulled over. This poor woman ended up getting raped. I'd call 911 in most instances, if it looked like they weren't seriously hurt. Also, you don't need to tell anyone you're a nurse either.

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Specializes in RN CRRN.

I haven't read all these but I thought the Good Samiritan law only covered lay people. Professionals, I have heard are free to be sued if we screw up. I still stopped once for a man who collapsed and he was bright blue with agonal respirs. The people with him thought he was breathing. I was on the way to work and had my steth in the bag--people wouldn't move away from his head so I could check him so I pulled it out of my bag. As I listened to the absent lubdub I didn't wait the whole minute or even 15 seconds. I then shoved them aside, pushed his head back to open the airway--- by the time I had "do you have an AED?" to the mall worker, out of my mouth the paramedics were there. You say the darndest things under stress. I actually asked them if they had an AED with THEM. They looked at me like 'UH, No we only take those to the calls on Tuesdays.....duh!' as they whipped out the AED, airway and the IV and fluids....the poor guy on the floor was blue but my face was definitely RED. He turned out okay though thank the Lord!-But at least you know what you have to do and are ready to do it. I would hope others would do that for my family.

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Specializes in RN CRRN.

There is a difference in stopping along a dark road to some guy waving down help (or even 3 guys) and stopping at the scene of an accident. Yes assess the scene. If you see no victim or it is iffy. Call it in.

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Specializes in NICU Level III.

Being a NICU nurse, I'd do more harm than good..I'd call 911 and stay out of danger myself.

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Specializes in Obs & gynae theatres.

In the UK nurses and student nurses are considered by the NMC to have a 'duty of care' meaning they are supposed to stop and help to the best of their ability ie a student nurse is unlikely to have the same skills as an a+e nurse. As long as they don't overstep their abilities, they are not liable.

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at https://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/bin/getpub.php?type=s&num=604A.01&year=2006

Pretty clear to me that at least in MN I am required by law to stop to render aid.

^^I don't see where it says that. The stat simply limits your liability if you choose to stop. (I'm not a MN'an).

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Ayvah- the nurse at my husband's scene made sure that bystanders didn't take his helmet off (which they were attempting to do). This would have made his head/neck/back injuries much more severe, especially the way most helmets pull off. She also kept him still and reassured him. By the time the paramedics arrived, she was able to tell them that she couldn't palpate a dp pulse, so they were able to let the hospital know that immediately. Basically, she was able to do a preliminary assessment that saved the paramedics a lot of time and also to keep my husband calm.

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