Would You Stop to Provide Medical Care?

[us2uk4u]

Driving home last night, after working three straight shifts in the ER, I saw a two-car accident. I noticed that the police and fire department had arrived but no paramedics. I was very tempted to just stay out of it to be honest. But I pulled over anyways and asked if they needed medical assistance. No one was seriously hurt, thankfully. And five minutes after I pulled over the paramedics arrived.

This morning at our monthly RN brunch party, however, I was very surprised to hear more than half of my nurse friends say they would have just kept on driving, especially after a long and exhausting day.

Would you stop?

[FlyingScot, RN]

As an ER RN with special Trauma Nurse and Pediatric Trauma Nurse training I am required to stop. How they would know I just drove by, I don't know, but I personally couldn't just drive by knowing I have the training to help.

Since you aren't going to answer I did some research. There are 10 states in the US that have a "duty to rescue" statute. Unless you created the hazardous situation that the person fell victim to or are responsible for the person (your child for instance) all they require you to do is call 911. You are NOT required to put yourself in danger and you are NOT required to stop. In addition there is no record of a violation of this statute ever being prosecuted and even if it was it's a minor misdemeanor carrying a $100 fine. Your "special" training is irrelevant. I daresay I have scads more training in emergency care than you but that does not make me legally responsible for providing emergency care at a random accident scene. However, as far as I'm concerned, I have a high moral obligation to do whatever I can to provide assistance to my fellow human beings in their time of need.

[Christy1019, ASN, RN]

Since you aren't going to answer I did some research. There are 10 states in the US that have a "duty to rescue" statute. Unless you created the hazardous situation that the person fell victim to or are responsible for the person (your child for instance) all they require you to do is call 911. You are NOT required to put yourself in danger and you are NOT required to stop. In addition there is no record of a violation of this statute ever being prosecuted and even if it was it's a minor misdemeanor carrying a $100 fine. Your "special" training is irrelevant. I daresay I have scads more training in emergency care than you but that does not make me legally responsible for providing emergency care at a random accident scene. However, as far as I'm concerned, I have a high moral obligation to do whatever I can to provide assistance to my fellow human beings in their time of need.

Thank you, their post was bugging me, but I didn't have the time, nor the energy to prove them wrong. Lol

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

The other day we came across an elderly gentleman who had fallen off his bike onto his face and was a bit disoriented. There were some others standing there and 911 had been called, so I just held c-spines until EMS arrived. I didn't say "I'm a nurse" and certainly not a trauma nurse. My husband was not happy because I "put my hands on him, and what if I get sued?" Well he doesn't know who I am, and anyway I thought I would have been imprudent NOT to help him lie still -- and I explained that acting imprudently is what gets good Samaritans in trouble.

[Bat Lady]

I have, several times. When I was in home health I always had my bag and supplies in the car. I remember stopping at one scene after it happened...one of our aides flagged me down. The police weren't there yet. A car had gone off the road and down a steep embankment. All the occupants were Hispanic and she didn't speak Spanish. I speak some and was able to determine that no one was seriously injured before the police got there. The last time I stopped was when an accident occurred right in front of me on the interstate. At that point I knew I had to, as a witness. I called 911. Fortunately the next car that stopped was an off-duty EMT and together we were able to help move the injured passenger, who had a fractured femur, out of the way. I helped calm the driver, who was very upset but not injured (it was a one-vehicle accident and appeared to be due to a mechanical malfunction) while the EMT attended to the passenger until police, EMS, etc. arrived, and stayed until they took my statement. I think that was the last time I stopped.

[Julius Seizure]

I have, once. Driving at night, the car in front of me hit a pedestrian. So I stopped to help. The driver was Asian and spoke very minimal English, and the victim spoke only Spanish (once he regained consciousness). And I speak only English. So that was challenging!