Advocacy
has been a theme in our world for longer than we realize. The classic Bible
story of “The Good Samaritan” is essentially a story about advocacy. In this
story a person goes far out of their way, even going against their religious
mandates in order to help someone in need. This story is often used as a reminder
to do good things for others. But when real-life emergencies arise, do people
actually stand up and help?
In class we
discussed a situation that occurred in California where the Good Samaritan
principles were put to test. An old woman has a heart attack at a nursing home
where they have a no CPR policy. The staff calls 911 so first-responders can
come help, however they refuse to help the woman themselves. The woman who
answers the 911 call, begs the staff members to help the woman. The staff
continues to refuse. The 911 responder becomes frantic, she begs the staff
members to pull someone off of the street to help. The woman dies.
Was it
wrong to refuse CPR? I believe that the staff were following rules and
therefore were not wrong in refusing to preform CPR. However, if I was in that
position, I would not be able to stand there and let the woman die. I would
feel morally obligated to do everything in my power to save her. (But that’s
just who I am, I can’t be a bystander. I have to be an advocate.)
So the new
problem is the policy. Why would a nursing home/senior living facility have a
no CPR policy? (Insurance issues?) Is it ethical to be in a medical facility and not provide simple
medical services? In my opinion, no. All the nurses and CAN’s in the facility
should be trained in CPR, so why would the nursing home have a policy against
it? It is understandable for individuals to have DNR orders, but for an entire
facility to refuse to resuscitate seems illogical.
In
conclusion, this situation is just one example where no Good Samaritan stands
up. Maybe it is our human nature, or maybe it is our culture; but something
keeps us from taking action. Whatever it is, we need to rise above it and
become activists and advocates when the situation calls for it.
