Video RN screaming, dragged into police car d/t refused blood draw on unconscious patient!

Nurses General Nursing

Updated:   Published

July 31 2017, guy fleeing police crosses median and slams into truck and dies. The truck catches fire severely burning the innocent driver, Mr. Gray, who was taken to SLC University. Police later showed up demanding to the UNCONSCIOUS innocent patient's blood. RN Alex shows them the policy requiring consent, arrest, or a warrant. Hospital administration back up RN Alex.

Police aggressively arrest RN Alex and removes her from the hospital. Officer body cam insanity released today:

NEWSPAPER ARTICLE:

Video shows Utah nurse screaming, being dragged into police car after refusing to let officer take blood from unconscious victim - The Salt Lake Tribune

Long video body cam:

In this video, the aggressive officer can be heard saying that he will ensure all the "transients" are brought to this hospitals ED since they won't cooperate after being told the administrators and privacy officer are on their way.

Original Crash (graphic):

Interesting note about Alex, she was a 2x Olympian, US Ski Team member, and national champion is Slalom and GS.

It is a complete outrage. The offending police officer has been removed from the blood collection unit (according to the Washington Post article), but he is not FIRED or even on administrative leave.

Watching this video, it is no wonder to me why the general public doesn't trust interactions with police officers. When they rough up and arrest a nurse who is simply doing her job under the LAW, why should anybody trust the cops?

The WP article also said the nurse hasn't decided yet as to whether or not take legal action against the Salt Lake City PD. I hope she does. This individual police officer needs to learn a lesson and get a refresher course in his job duties.

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Her demeanor during the incident was spot on. She was calm and professional with the police officer. She followed policy. Had she not it would have opened her up to potential charges/litigation by the patient. That officer was a total richard. You can bet your sweet bippy had he laid hands on me I would have screamed too. I hope he loses his job and his supervisor too. He lost his cool in a situation that was not and should not have been heated. and to think he carries a gun. Scary.

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Great job to her for being an advocate for the patient and ensuring the policy is adhered to. Her leadersip and attention to details and due process is amazing.

From the article it does appear that her employer has her back, at least I hope so.

She is right, an unconsious patient still has rights

They'd better have her back because their lack of response during the situation was egregious. They're on very shaky ground.

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Specializes in Gerontology.

That is truly horrifying. Good for her for protecting her pt.

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The police officer's supervisor needs some education. He is the one that instructed him to arrest her.

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

What I'm waiting to see is if the officer is charged. Assaulting a healthcare worker in Utah is a felony. If she decides to bring a lawsuit she'll be able to make at least two claims:

1. False arrest

2. Assault of a healthcare worker

I'm keeping a close eye on this situation and have already alerted travel nurses that I recommend not taking an assignment in that area because that officer is still on-duty.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

Threads merged.

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Specializes in Gerontology.
They'd better have her back because their lack of response during the situation was egregious. They're on very shaky ground.

I thought I heard someone in the background saying that Administration was on their way in so it sounds like they were trying to support her.

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Specializes in Adult M/S.

I hope she sues the pants of that cop. He should be off the force.

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AtomicWoman said:
I just read this story in the Washington Post and it horrified me. That nurse was doing exactly what we are all taught to do: protect the patient. She was exactly right and knew the law, unlike the police. I came to AN to express my support for her. I'd call her "my hero" (and she is), but I'll bet she would say she was just doing her job. Sister, we nurses have your back. This is an outrage!

I believe the cops knew/know the law, they don't care. They want what they want, WHEN they want it.

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Lil Nel said:
It is a complete outrage. The offending police officer has been removed from the blood collection unit (according to the Washington Post article), but he is not FIRED or even on administrative leave.

Watching this video, it is no wonder to me why the general public doesn't trust interactions with police officers. When they rough up and arrest a nurse who is simply doing her job under the LAW, why should anybody trust the cops?

The WP article also said the nurse hasn't decided yet as to whether or not take legal action against the Salt Lake City PD. I hope she does. This individual police officer needs to learn a lesson and get a refresher course in his job duties.

No, he needs to be fired, arrested and prosecuted for knowing false arrest/kidnapping, along with his Lt.

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A few years ago, a nurse was arrested for refusing a blood draw on suspected DUI. She was arrested. The police department had to pay her $75,000.

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