While at the 2017 ENA Convention in St. Louis, allnurses got the opportunity to interview Alex Wubbels, the Utah nurse who in July 2017, was violently secured in handcuffs and placed in a squad car for not complying with a police officer's request to draw blood on an unconscious patient without a warrant or consent. The video of the incident went viral.
Alex has received support not only from her place of employment but also from an outraged nursing community. "The University of Utah Health supports Nurse Wubbels and her decision to focus first and foremost on the care and well-being of her patient," said Suzanne Winchester, the hospital's media relations manager. "She followed procedures and protocols in this matter and was acting in her patient's best interest. We have worked with our law enforcement partners on this issue to ensure an appropriate process for moving forward."
We talked with Alex at the 2017 ENA Conference about how she is coping with this traumatic event.
Alex Wubbels also shared with us that there has been an update in the investigation. The Salt Lake City Mayor announced that "The findings of the IA investigation and the Civilian Review Board will be sent to Chief Mike Brown who will use them to help guide his decision as it relates to the employment status of the two officers involved."
The officers were found to have violated department policy. The following video gives additional details.
Guess "lots of people" might depend on your perspective. "Lots" as in 2 or 3? Or 5? I'm in a great big metroplex and get out "lots" and have yet to hear the negativity. Only positive comments.
I just read that this Utah Nurse received a $500,000.00 settlement.
Personally I think that this a drop in the bucket of what she should have received.
Violence towards nurses is so widespread that it is beyond comprehension. There was an a report several years ago here in Canada that indicated the level of violence towards nurses was higher than that of police officers. I'm sure that even the numbers in that report was under reported. The reason being is that countless nurses have been conditioned by their employers that it's part of the job.
morte, LPN, LVN
7,015 Posts
reread my last line, please.