Legal Ramifications of Joining a Formal Church "Emergency Response Team"

[Yep, Me]

A church is starting a designated "Emergency Response Team" for each service, & of course, they are asking all the nurses, doctors, EMTs etc to join. My questions are: the legal ramifications for nursing volunteers. Obviously we won't be covered by the Good Samaritan Law, since we have accepted a volunteer position. Every question about "policy, procedures, & training requirements/tracking" is met with blank stares. I stated to some people who are arranging this that I would certainly like to discuss the organization of this with those who are doing the organizing, not to assist in organization, but to make sure that everything that is set up will properly safeguard our professional licenses. Don't think that I'm heartless: but I've been a nurse for nearly 40 years & I've seen what people are capable of in their grief & loss (& also out of avarice). I've assisted with some emergencies as a Good Samaritan in church, but completely on an individual basis, & every one that has happened when I was attending. I emailed the State Board & their response was "we can't tell you if this fits within your scope or the legalities of your license, but if there is a complaint re: a nurse volunteering on a formal emergency response team, we will investigate it & take action as necessary", which certainly does NOT make me feel secure in the slightest.

[NurseGirl525, ASN, RN]

If you are so worried, then why do it?

[Cat365]

I have no ideas except does your church have a lawyer as a member? Maybe they could help?

[heinz57]

Pen down what exactly are the expectations of this team. Get it in writing and then send it to the Board of Nursing. If it is little more than what a "knowledgeable" lay person or what you would do as a Good Samaritan then you might be okay. This might be something like initiating CPR, providing a safe environment, seeing that an ambulance is called, gathering pertinent info for EMS and helping the family members.

You can also check with your state's Good Samaritan laws for health care professionals. Many states have special wording to protect licensed HCPs.

If the responsibility extends into the community during a disaster, check your state's disaster team to see if they have a position statement for volunteer nurses which agrees with your state's BON scope. Right now this is being addressed in Florida especially for medical volunteers who are at the shelters during the storm.

But, gather all information you can preferably in writing and then present to BON and a person with the legal qualifications and HCP knowledge.

[TriciaJ, RN]

What exactly is the rationale for even organizing this? Can EMS not easily reach this location if called?

[BrendanO, MSN, RN]

Do you envision any scenarios in which you would do anything more than call 911, hold direct pressure on a wound, perform CPR, or use an AED? Is the church just trying to ensure that there's someone with a BLS card in the house during every service?

[Yep, Me]

I still need to talk with the organizers of this, which I have requested. Without clear written guidelines, expectations can be interpreted in different ways by different people.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

I think that this concept (church taking on a role that will benefit the community) is great!

Many churches in my area are designated community disaster response areas for hurricane season, especially the mega-churches (yep, we have a few of those). They go into action to assist the 'formal' response folks (Red Cross, Salvation Army, Health Department, FEMA, etc) when needed. Their parking lots are distribution centers (bottled water, diapers, blue tarps, sandwiches, etc) and they set up cots in the large assembly rooms. The church volunteers staff their shelters & do everything from minor first aid & infant care to helping in the kitchen or doling out emergency supplies.

I've never considered the liability issues. Maybe you could get some information from your local Red Cross, since they utilize professional volunteers. Keep us posted on what you find out.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

I volunteer on my rural EMS squad and have very clear protocols with which I operate within.

However, I'm licensed as an APN so I am very aware that my assessment skills are held to that standard.

Have been volunteering for 17 + years and never a problem.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

Let the church designate any emergency response team they want . Churches will never be legal first responders.

WHY would you hang your license out to dry for this ?

[Yep, Me]

This is not disaster response. This is emergency response within the church during service & activities only.

[Yep, Me]

This is a ERT for the within the church & only for services. This is not for community disaster response.